Kipchoge says he's getting stronger each day

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge celebrates winning the men’s elite race. [Reuters]

Eliud Kipchoge’s second attempt to break the two hour mark in marathon is just 24 days away.

The world record holder longs to make history at the Ineos challenge in Vienna, Austria.

In a video released by Ineos on Monday evening, Kipchoge said he is steadily gaining strength as the training heats up.

Kipchoge, who posted an impressive 2:00.25 mark at the Breaking-2 project in 2017 at the Formula One racetrack in Monza, Italy, looks ready for the task.

“As the race day draws closer, I feel like getting more energy. I feel mentally and physically stronger,” Kipchoge said in the video where he is seen training with a host of nearly 20 training mates.

His coach Patrick Sang and his Global Sports Communications team are preparing Kipchoge for the task. He's based at Global Sports Communications camp in Kaptagat with his pacesetters.

Kipchoge said he wants to inspire billions of people all over the world into believing in themselves. “I always think about the 1:59 challenge. I some times try forget it to allow me concentrate on training," said Kipchoge.

He added: “I don’t want to think too much about 1:59 at the expense of training. I am happy that it goes beyond where we live, beyond my home, beyond our camp and it has spread to other athletes.”

Kipchoge is seen drinking mineral water while walking around in a room in which his training mates are having a meal, probably after a training session.

Ineos is one of the largest chemical and manufacturing companies in the world with sales of roughly $60 billion, which about Sh6.8 trillion.

Sang said he was confident that 1:59 can be achieved in Vienna on October 12 saying Kipchoge is responding well to training.

“So far, things are still calm… Eliud is doing well. He is meeting fundamental things on schedule for the event,” Sang said.

Kipchoge’s agent Valentijin Trouw said in December last year they had a conversation with Kipchoge and his coach where they agreed that the world record holder attempts the 1:59 challenge.

According Trouw, Kipchoge was listened ‘in a nice way’ during the conversation.

Trouw said: “It is a nice video in advance. I am confident he will break the two hours.”

“I am convinced that this time he will break the two-hour mark,” he said.

Victor Chumo, one of Kipchoge’s pacesetters, said they are ready for the challenge and vowed to support Kipchoge.

Chumo has a personal best of 60:03 in half marathon which he set in Lille, France, last September.

Another pacesetter Augustine Choge, said: “Kipchoge will feel easy and more comfortable with us around.”

To break the two-hour barrier, Kipchoge will need to average 2:50 minutes per kilometre. That's about 4:41 minutes per mile.

Just in case you weren't aware already - that's absurdly fast. It will require Kipchoge to run 5km in 14:10,10km in 28:20 and the half marathon in around 59:47.