Eliud Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic champion and 11-time Major marathon winner, was in Shanghai on Tuesday to inspire runners competing in the 2025 Shanghai Marathon this weekend.

The former world record holder is regarded as an icon and idol by Chinese runners, even though the 40-year-old has yet to compete in the Shanghai Marathon.

On Sunday, at 7am, 23,000 runners will take off from the Bund for the 42-kilometer marathon. Additionally, 19 wheelchair-bound athletes will start 15 minutes ahead of the main group.

Registration for this year's marathon commenced in June, allowing international participants to make their travel plans in advance.

Over 1,000 international athletes are expected to take part in this year's event. Additionally, the organizers have invited 43 distinguished elite runners, intending to set new records for the Shanghai Marathon.

The Shanghai record of 2:05:35 was set by Kenyan athlete Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba in 2023.

The organizers claim that a record 356,589 athletes applied for this year's marathon, demonstrating the growing popularity of the event.

Last year, the Shanghai Marathon was chosen a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the world's largest high-level marathon series.

By 2027, the race will be considered a World Majors event, on par with the world's most prestigious marathons, including the Boston, London, Berlin, and Tokyo marathons, provided it passes the Abbott World Marathon Majors' two inspections this year and in 2026.