Kipchoge: It Feels Proud To Be World Record Holder
4th October 2018
Olympic champion clocked 2:01:39 at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon on September 16, 2018 to smash Dennis Kimetto 2014 standard
- The Rio 2016 winner sealed his Berlin hat-trick in style when he bettered Dennis Kimetto's 2:02:57 by over a minute, establishing him as the greatest marathoner in history
- Kipchoge advised upcoming runners to embrace athletics with the seriousness it deserves as the sport can earn them fortune while at the same time improve their health
- Over 3,500 participants are expected at the Ndalat Gaa meet, which marks the beginning of Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country season
NAIROBI, Kenya- Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge feels proud to be a record holder following his scarcely unbelievable 2:01:39 victory at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon last month that obliterated the previous standard that has stood for four years.
The Rio 2016 winner sealed his Berlin hat-trick in style when he bettered Dennis Kimetto's 2:02:57 by over a minute, establishing him as the greatest marathoner in history having missed to own the coveted record thrice before.
"To me, this is my greatest ever achievement since I started my marathon career over a decade ago. At first it was like a dream, but now it’s a reality,” the triple London Marathon winner told SportPesa News in Nairobi on Thursday.
The 2003 World Cross Country champion narrated how he prepared for the Berlin assault.
“I build up psychologically for the run. I thought and internalised the contest. I focused and dreamt about the race, I visioned myself breaking that record even before I left Kenya,” he explained.
Kipchoge, who is equally stunned with the kind of attention he is now receiving locally and internationally after the accomplishment, agrees that breaking the two-hour mark in marathon is very possible with time.
“Through my records in Monza (2017) and Berlin, I have demonstrated to people that nothing can hinder a human being from clocking the sub-two-hour,” he underlined.
The former Chicago Marathon winner is yet to set target for next season after his feat in Germany.
He is concentrating on his full body recovery at the same time but will be among the chief guests at the 10th edition of Isaiah Kiplagat Ndalat Gaa Cross Country Race slated for October 13 in Nandi County.
“The late Kiplagat was my mentor, we had a good relationship. He inspired athletes in my generation.
Inspire athletes
“I’m proud to be the competition's ambassador. My mission is to inspire young athletes in Ndalat Gaa to pursue their talents. I therefore, encourage the area residents to come out in large numbers to take part in the race,” he urged.
Kipchoge advised upcoming runners to embrace athletics with the seriousness it deserves as the sport can earn them fortune while at the same time improve their health.
He has urged his fellow athletes to run clean to protect the image of the discipline.
“People should train hard, aim for good results and love the sport, short-cuts like doping to make quick money is dangerous,” Kipchoge highlighted.
Over 3,500 participants are expected at the Ndalat Gaa meet, which marks the beginning of Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country season.
Categories that will be contested include 8KM senior races, 6KM and 8KM Junior races and 2KM veteran event.
Several sponsors have come on board to support the race among them Safaricom (KSh2million), Nike (KSh2million), Nandi County Government (KSh2million) Amaco Insurance (KSh600,000) Kenya Pipeline (KSh500,000) and AK (KSh500,000).
Others are Paramount Bank (KSh500,000), Africa Economic Zone (KSh500,000), Mosop Constituency (KSh500, 000), and Parapet, Kass FM, Skyworld Aviation, Dairy Board, Kwesse TV, Kenya Seed Company