Kipchoge's most recent marathon win came in 2023 at Berlin, which would make it about three years by now. The guy's in his early 40s, so even if he's taken time away from racing, there's legit reason to believe he could still be competitive. His training methods and conditioning have always been different from most runners - the guy's been obsessed with the details his whole career.
What's interesting is that elite athletes at that level don't really lose their base as fast as regular folks might think. I've seen people come back from injuries or breaks and surprise everyone, but the marathon is brutal. Three years is a long time when you're talking about the level of competition he faces. Recovery and training load matter huge amounts, plus dealing with age. That said, if anyone's gonna do it, it's someone with his track record and approach to the sport. The mental side probably helps too - he's already proven everything at this point, so maybe that takes some pressure off.
The real question is whether he can stay healthy and consistent now. One win after a break is different from stringing together multiple strong performances. But yeah, if the reports about his body still being in peak condition are accurate, that's worth taking seriously. The marathon world would definitely want him back in the mix - makes the whole sport more compelling.