Eliud Kipchoge leaves world in suspense as INEOS 1:59 Challenge draws near

  Eliud Kipchoge poses with the trophy. [Reuters]

The wait is almost over.

It is nine days to go on the count of Ineos 1:59 challenge organisers. From North to South Pole, the world is on edge waiting for one man; Eliud Kipchoge.

The world marathon record holder (2:01:39) and Olympic champion over the distance has thrown down a challenge to humanity that no human is limited.

And to prove it, Kipchoge has invited the world to watch him attempt to run 42.195km in under two hours in Vienna, Austria -- a task he insists is only curtailed by mental barriers.

When he announced his intent to break the two-hour barrier on May 6 this year, Kipchoge told Associated Press: “I want to unlock that thought that there are limitations in the human being.”

He added: “There are no barriers when you believe in yourself and try and trust in what you are doing.”

For his unflinching self-belief and infinite possibilities available to humanity, Kipchoge instantly gained the trust of British multi-billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals group INEOS.

The Briton, estimated by London-based Sunday Times Rich List to be worth $28 billion, immediately declared he was opening his purse to 34-year-old to unlock human potential.

Ratcliffe’s endorsement set in motion a flurry activities, ranging from identifying the race circuit, determining ideal weather conditions, Kipchoge’s training regime that includes running 200km per week just to get into tip-top shape.

The day of reckoning is October 12 with organisers setting an eight-day window (up to October 20) to pick the day when the weather conditions would be ideal for Kipchoge to attempt a sub-two-hour marathon.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge takes selfies with fans after winning the Berlin Marathon and breaking the World Record. [REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch]

Kipchoge did attempt to break the two-hour barrier in Monza, Italy on May 6, 2017, but ended up 25 seconds shot when he returned 2 hours and 25 seconds (2:00:25).

The Vienna race, which will demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit, will no doubt send adrenaline levels running high around the globe.

Every tissue in Kipchoge’s body, all vital organs starting with the heart and of course the brain will be stretched to the limit.

Gerald Lwande, a Biomedical Scientist at Precise Genomics Laboratories believes it will be the ultimate test for Kipchoge.

“I strongly believe his body will handle the rigours of the exercise,” Lwande said yesterday.

“In Monza, Eliud achieved a time of 2 hours and 25 seconds. It is believed that with the improved shoe, hydration, course modification and other technologies; Eliud will run below two hours (1 hour 59 minutes) without any adverse physiological outcome.”

Like the rest of the world, Kenya with awaits one of their greatest sons to break the barrier that will inspire every soul in the world to pursue their countless possibilities.

Bankrolling Kipchoge's attempt: British multi-billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. [Courtesy]