Eliud Kipchoge ready to make history and create his “moon-landing” moment

Eliud Kipchoge (white vest), world record holder, Olympic champion and the greatest marathon runner of all time, with his dream team of pacemakers as he prepares for his attempt to become the first man in history to run a sub two hour marathon in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna on Saturday 12 October 2019.

Eliud Kipchoge believes he is ready to make history and create his “moon-landing” moment in his quest to run an historic first sub-two-hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna on Saturday.

The Kenyan marathon great, who has won 11 out 12 marathons and is also the reigning Olympic marathon champion, arrived in the Austrian capital city on Tuesday following a night flight from Kenya.

In the pre-event press conference adjacent to the finish line on the Hauptallee in the heart of Vienna, Eliud exuded confidence ahead of his historic bid.

“I’m feeling well, I’m happy with the course and I am waiting for Saturday,” explains Eliud, who last year set a stunning new world record time of 2:01:39 in the Berlin Marathon.

“Vienna is a sporting city. The crowd loves sport in Vienna and the course is flat and fast and in a park – a natural environment.

“Berlin was about running a world record, Vienna is about running and breaking history, like the first man on the moon.”

Eliud has been training hard in his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya for the past four months and he has been delighted with his preparations.

Training under the coaching of his long-time personal coach, Patrick Sang, and supported by a word-class team of experts in his quest for glory, he believes he has the tools to handle the enormous expectation leading into the race.

“Pressure is everywhere, and I’m trying to stay as calm as possible,” he says. “This race means a lot. I just have to make that click in people’s minds that no human is limited.

“You cannot be physical fit without being mentally fit, if your mind is there then you will be well.”

And with the quality and calibre could one of his pacers who also make history too....? 

Photo: Bob Martin for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge