Eliud Kipchoge, the world marathon champion holder, has promised to return despite falling short at the Boston Marathon on Monday evening.
Kipchoge finished sixth in Boston, recording 2:09:23 in a race won by a competitor and defending champion Evans Chebet, who ran 2:05:54.
It was Kipchoge's first loss in his stellar marathon career and his first since finishing seventh in the London Marathon in 2020.
Kipchoge will also have to wait at least another year to complete his ambition to win all six world marathon majors, with only the Boston and New York City Marathons remaining.
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Kipchoge, 38, intimated in a message on social media following the race that he might not be hanging up his running shoes anytime soon.
"I live for the opportunities to push the boundaries. It's never sure, and it's always complex. Today was a difficult day for me. I made myself as hard as I could, but sometimes we have to realize that today isn't the day to raise the bar higher.
"I'd like to congratulate my competitors and thank everyone in Boston and at home for the incredible support I've received, which I am deeply grateful for." You can win and lose in sports; there is always a tomorrow to try again. "I'm excited for what's to come," Kipchoge announced on his official social media accounts.
