6 most famous runners in the world

• Eliud Kipchoge is a cut above the rest of his field among the most famous runners in the world
• Jesse Owens won a total of four medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
• His participation passed off as a sort of protest against the Nazis’ racist propaganda targeting black people

The most famous runners in the world trace back to athletes who made history in athletics. They are people with consistent success over the course of their careers.

Some of them revelled in their notoriety, while others couldn’t care less about anything but winning their respective races. Listening to each of them, you get to value and understand the value of sacrifice.

So, let’s look at some of the most famous athletes in history who competed in various races and left a legacy.

ELIUD KIPCHOGE

Eliud Kipchoge. Photo/YouTube

It’s safe to say that Eliud Kipchoge is a cut above the rest of his field among the most famous runners in the world. He has millions of dollars worth of wealth hidden in his successful sporting career.

Kipchoge won gold in Tokyo and Rio in 2016, and in 2018, he set a new world record in the Berlin Marathon. When 2019 rolled around, he took on the INEOS challenge 1:59 challenge and showed the world what it means to push oneself to the absolute limit.

Kipchoge believes that his nutrition and training are major contributors to his athletic performance. He keeps his word and is constantly at Kaptagat Training Camp in Eldoret with the rest of the team.

Kipchoge runs between 124 and 136 kilometres every week to maintain his fitness for training. Even though the workouts are challenging, they are well-structured, and his nutrition plan is a great compliment.

Kipchoge says his routine, diet, and mindset are his biggest assets towards his success.

JESSE OWENS

Jesse Owens. Photo/WXXI

It wasn’t just Jesse Owens who had a tough time during the era when he competed in the Olympics. His achievements at the Berlin Olympics of 1936 are generally seen as symbolic of something larger than athletics.

Owens won a total of four medals at those Olympics across the 100 and 200 meter dashes, the long jump, and the 4 x 100 meter relay for the United States. His participation passed off as a sort of protest against the Nazis’ racist propaganda targeting black people at the time.

One year prior to the Olympic Games, he set four world records, breaking three of them and tying the fourth. He later died in March 1980. Today, the Jesse Owens Award, honours finest track and field athlete every year.

CARL LEWIS

Carl Lewis. Photo/Sky Sports

There is little doubt that Carl Lewis is one of the most famous runners in the world. It would be unfair to expect anything less of a man who competed in four Olympic Games. He won a total of nine gold medals in four Olympic competitions.

Additionally, he has eight gold medals from World Championships. The International Olympic Committee appropriately named him Sportsman of the Century.

HAILE GEBRESELASSIE

You can’t adequately describe the achievements of this Ethiopian runner throughout his career. Haile Gebreselassie competed in the 10,000-meter event at two separate Olympic Games and won both gold medals.

To win the Berlin Marathon four times in a row and the Dubai Marathon thrice makes him the most famous runners in the world.

FLORENCE GRIFFITH-JOYNER

A lot of people refer to Florence Giffith-Joyner as “the fastest woman ever.” Mainly because she was the only woman in history to hold the 100-meter and 200-meter world records simultaneously.

She also won the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988. She set these two records set at the highest level of competition. Although she passed away in 1998, her legacy and records carry on. Joyner continues to be revered as one of the most famous runners in the world.

USAIN BOLT

Usain Bolt celebration. Photo/ Time 100

You can’t have a conversation on the appeal of runners without mentioning Usain Bolt. Bolt is the fastest man alive, and his records are virtually unbreakable.

For the first time in history, he held the world records for both the 100-meter and 200-meter events simultaneously. He also holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by a single athlete.

His sportsmanship and conduct, both on and off the track, cement his place as the greatest winner in history.