Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge was hoping for a dream finale to his career at the age of 39 but ended up handing over his running shoes to a fan.

"An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness," said Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

Reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya narrowly fails in his attempt to complete the distance under the previously insurmountable two-hour mark, finishing in a time of 2hr 00min 24sec on Saturday.