Kipchoge tips Kelvin Kiptum for greater success in marathon
Athletics
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| May 26, 2023
World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has tipped London Marathon champion Kelvin Kiptum to be the next super human on the roads.
The double Olympic champion predicts Kiptum will soon smash the under two hour barrier that Kipchoge set in Vienna, Austria on October 12, 2019 during the Ineos 1:59 Challenge.
The challenge made Kipchoge the first human in history to achieve the lofty feat.
"We run by our hearts, assisted by our legs, I trust Kiptum has the same will. I wish him all the very best," Kipchoge told Standard Sports.
"I have shown people the way, I have broken the world record twice, I have run under two hours, that's a sign that I need people to run.
"Kiptum has built something that will always keep him consistent towards this dream," Kipchoge said.
Kipchoge believes Kiptum showed his impressive show in London Marathon this year where the latter stopped the clock in 2:01:25 to win the race with the second fastest time in history.
This feat made Kiptum the third man in history to break the two hours, two minutes mark in the sport.
In 2020, Kiptum had the fastest ever marathon debut at the Valencia Marathon.
"It was such a great performance in London by Kiptum, records are meant to be broken, I'm hopeful he will be able smash them in future," Kipchoge said. Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum breaks the tape to win the 2023 London Marathon on April 23. Kipruto's time of 2:01:25 is the second fastest in the world. [London Marathon Twitter]
Kipchoge was yesterday honoured by Isuzu East Africa Limited in Nairobi who gifted him with a limited edition double cabin pick-up christened 'Eliud Kipchoge 1:59 Limited Special D-Max Edition'.
The vehicle was in honour for his feat at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna.
"What Isuzu has done to me today will inspire the next generation to work harder to achieve their dreams," Kipchoge said.
Concerning his recent loss in Boston Marathon where he finished a distant sixth, Kipchoge said he learnt vital lessons.
He said he is already training very hard but refused to divulge his next course of action after Boston.
However, he hinted out that he will soon post schedule for his next races on his social media pages.
Kipchoge was also non committal on going to the World Championships in Hungary, Budapest this August.
He was also non committal in stating his favourite athletes that he feels can best represent Kenya in marathon in Budapest.
While revealing what has kept him going for so long in marathon, Kipchoge said: "I know where I am, I know where I'm going, respecting the sport is my motivation, I'm always treating running as a profession, I'm always yearning more to inspire the next generation."