Kipchoge over the moon after sub two-hour run
KENYA’S MARATHON MAN CLOCKS 1:59.40 IN LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge made athletics history yesterday when he became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, stretching the limits of human endeavour and passing a milestone few thought could be reached for decades if at all.
Guided by green laser beams shone onto the road and helped by 41 world class athletes choreographed into rotating teams of pacemakers, the Olympic champion and world record holder smashed the barrier by 20 seconds, finishing in one hour 59.40 minutes.
It was regarded as the biggest achievement in athletics since Briton Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and was likened by Kipchoge himself to landing on the moon. “Today we went to the moon and came back to Earth. I am at a loss for words for all the support I have received from all over the world,” he said.
However, it was not recognised as a world record by the sport’s governing International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as it was not in open competition and used rotating pacemakers.
As the pacemakers peeled away for the last kilometre, Kipchoge accelerated, smiled and the crowd gave him a rousing reception. Barely sweating, the 34-year-old looked as if he had completed a quiet morning run as he reflected on his achievement.
Feeling good
“From the first kilometre, I was really comfortable,” he said after before being mobbed by his teammates. “I have been training for this for four and a half months, I have been putting my heart and mind to run under two hours for a marathon and make history.
“I am feeling good. After Roger Bannister it took another 65 years to make history. Now I’ve gone under two hours to inspire other people and show the world nobody is limited.”
Although the IAAF did not recognise the run, its president, Sebastian Coe, had said he was in favour of such events. There was unbridled joy in Kipchoge’s homeland as thousands of people celebrated on the streets. “We don’t even have the words to explain it, it is such a proud moment. We are super, super proud to be Kenyan,” said one fan.
In Nairobi, traffic stopped with people gathering anywhere with televisions as Kipchoge closed in on completing the stunning achievement.
Best-possible conditions
The run, organised and funded by the British chemical company INEOS, was Kipchoge’s second attempt to break the barrier, having missed out by 26 seconds in Monza two years ago.
The 9.6km course, a long straight with two loops at the end, was designed with slightly steeped banks and had been partially resurfaced to help Kipchoge keep pace. The venue and time were carefully chosen by organisers to provide the best-possible conditions — cool and windless — although it was slightly more humid than expected and there were a few spots of rain.
Around the halfway mark, he seemed to be struggling but he quickly regained his composure. “I was really calm and trying to go with the pace, not to be crazy or slow, but to follow instructions and what the pacemakers are doing,” he said. “Everyone can step out of their door and think positively.”