LOW-KEY RECEPTION: Kipchoge non-committal on world record and World Championships

Marathoner Wilson Kipsang and Eliud Kipchoge, the 2015 London Marathon winner upton arrival from London Marathon at JKIA on April 28, 2015 .PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Eliud Kipchoge, who led a Kenyan sweep of the London Marathon on Sunday, and his compatriots returned home yesterday, but the winner did not commit to aiming at attacking the world record nor planning to run at the World Championships in Beijing in August.

The London Marathon stars arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a low-key reception, with neither fanfare nor the official protocol that usually accompanies athletes’ return from major world competitions.

Eliud Kipchoge, 30, who beat former world record holder Wilson Kipsang and the current world record holder Dennis Kimetto in a thrilling four-way battle billed as the ‘Marathon of the Century’, landed at JKIA in the morning.

No official from Athletics Kenya or the Ministry of Sports were on hand to received them, although they ran in London as individuals and not as an official Kenyan team.

Kimetto and Kipsang said they are focusing on IAAF World Athletics Championships marathon contest in Beijing. Both are banking their hopes on Athletics Kenya’s panel of selectors.

But Kipchoge, who is coached by Nandi County Sports and Culture Executive and 1992 Olympic 3000m steeplechase silver medalist Patrick Sang, remained non-committal as to whether he would attempt the world record or a place in the World Championships team, saying he would have to consult with his coach and the Global Sports Communications management based in the Netherlands.

“When I was going to London, I had prepared for four months, physically and mentally. At 40km, I was 80 per cent sure the victory was in my hands.

“Ten years ago, my coach told me to consider myself the best in any competition. You know a champion is not born when he wins a race but the seconds, minutes, hours and months he took in preparation,” said Kipchoge, who is remembered for beating Ethiopia’s track icon Kenenisa Bekele in 5,000m at the 2003 World Championship in Paris.

“Kipchoge is a committed and disciplined athlete. He has done a lot and will continue to represent the country,” said Sang upon arrival from London.

The 33-year-old Kipsang, who lost the London title even after winning the New York Marathon last November, is still optimistic.

“The condition was cold and the course was wet, but I’m still at the top despite my second finish in London. It’s very healthy for the sport to have challengers like Eliud and Kimetto. It’s now time to rest and hope to be selected to run at the World Championships in August. I would love to because I have never represented my country at the World Championships,” said Kipsang, who is also the Professional Athletics Association of Kenya (PAAK) President.

Just like Kipsang, world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto admits that the weather worked against him with three kilometres to go.

“The weather was tough for me especially at 39km. I could not push on. My next move will be World Championships. We are waiting for selection of the team,” said Kimetto, who finished third with a time of 2:05:50.

Priscah Jeptoo admits that Kenya’s ‘fantastic four’ who included the London Marathon defending champion Ednah Kiplagat, Half Marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat and Mary Keitany were favourites to win, but gave it away to 27-year-old Ethiopian Tigist Tufa who surprised the women with a victory of 2:23:22.

“We never gave it our best shot. All of us were afraid of kicking and dictating the race, we have learned our lesson,” said Jeptoo who won silver in the 2012 London Olympics.