Kipchoge whets North Rift's super Saturday

Eliud Kipchoge doing his final run ahead of the Ineos 1:59 challenge on October 12. [Courtesy]

Eldoret comes alive this morning as Eliud Kipchoge attempts to run marathon in under two hours in Vienna, Austria.

The County Government will use big screens at Oginga Odinga and Eldoret-Iten road junction to provide live viewing from the Austrian capital.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson will join the huge crowds watching Kipchoge race against himself and the clock in a bid to unlock human potential.

Fans in Eldoret will also watch the challenge in various hotels including the Eldoret Sports Club, Poa Place and Klique hotel among other entertainment joints.

In Elgeyo Marakwet, county Athletics Kenya (AK) secretary Boniface Tiren said he will, together with at least 100 athletes including 2012 Boston Marathon champion Sharon Cherop and Leornard Komon to watch the live event in a hotel in Kapcherop, Elgeyo Marakwet.

“On behalf of local AK officials and coaches, I wish Kipchoge success in this challenge. We wish he breaks the sub two hour barrier and make history as the first man to run under two hours,” Tiren said.

In Iten, where at least 5,000 athletes train, more than 200 athletes watch the attempt at the Keellu Resort, a hotel owned by former world record holder Wilson Kipsang.

At Kipchoge’s home in Kapsisiywo, a big screen has been mounted for locals to watch the race. Nandi County department of Youths and sports said the big screen has been stationed at Kapsisiywo Primary School.

At his village, neighbours and fellow church members were preparing for a night vigil at St Peters Catholic church to pray him.

“Before the race starts on Saturday, we shall be having another mass an hour before we join other members to watch,”  Fredrick Songol, who is Kipchoge’s uncle.

Nandi Executive Committee Member (CECM) for youths and sports Elly Kurgat said the county government will facilitated the installation of the screen in the school.

“As department of sports, we have mounted the screen in Kipchoge’s village and we expect the residents to turn up in large numbers to watch their son attempt to write history in marathon,” Kurgat said.

A section of athletes who were mentored by the world record holder had converged at a sports complex named after Kipchoge.

Vincent Kiprop, one of Kipchoge’s protégé, described the world record holder as a disciplined runner who would stun the world by crossing the finishing in one hour 59 minutes and make history as the first man to break the barrier.