‘Breaking2hourbarrier withinreach’
NEW DELHI: Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge’s world record in Berlin on Sunday (2.01:39) has taken him closer to the dream of becoming the first to run a sub twohour race. Last year, the Kenyan great had clocked 2.00:25 in the ‘Nike Breaking Two’ project, but it wasn’t ratified as pace-setting didn’t conform to official norms. Kipchoge is delighted after setting his first world marathon record, and believes the two-hour race is
not beyond him.
A perfect race?
Yes. I was alone in the last 17 km, but didn’t think I was alone. I just thought I have to keep up this pace until the very last km.
When did you know the record was going to happen?
I was sure I would be able to set a new record after 30 km.
On pushing limits.
I don’t believe in limits. When I train, I try to listen to my body and challenge it to go beyond barriers when the moment is right.
The subtwo barrier is still 99 seconds away…
Actually, it’s only 25 seconds. It’s no rocket science breaking this barrier. You simply have to believe in it, you need a great team that believes in it and in you, you need the perfect shoes and you need to be stronger than any runner before. Then everything is possible.
How much time was shaved off running in a shoe developed with you?
The shoe is for every runner, not only for me. I tested it and Nike took my feedback. I contributed in making a shoe that is faster than any before, but it is still the runner that needs to run fast.
Did you surprise yourself?
I felt great, but I got surprised by running 2.01. I knew I would run a world record eventually, but not that fast.
You have an Olympic gold, you’ve broken the world record. Any future goals?
My plans are a blank piece of paper. I normally go by one plan at a time and my plan was to run the Berlin marathon. Now, I will take some time to myself now for recovery. I have a family, so I spend time with them. I like reading some books to get some stories from around the world. That’s what keeps me when I’m in recovery.
Do you feel you achieved your “crazy dreams”?
Absolutely. I expected to run a world record, but didn’t expect 2:01. I hoped to be able to run under 2:02:57.
Will you be n the 2020 Olympics?
Yes. I will keep running, and try to be successful. I never thought about retiring.
Always smiling in exhausting marathons...
Marathon is life. And if you really want to be happy, you have to enjoy life. That’s why I smile. I enjoy running the marathon.