Nike’s Breaking 2 versus the Ineos 1:59 Challenge

The Nike attempt was better publicised than the INEOS 1:59, and seemed to involve more scientific preparation. Nike is a dominant player-promoter in worldwide running, of course, and also invited several top running writers to get “inside” its planning and actual race-day logistics.

Nike sent exercise physiologists to study Kipchoge, Lelisa Desisa, and Zersenay Tadese in their training camps, and invited them to Nike’s campus for additional lab testing. Finally, Nike conducted a half-marathon “dress rehearsal” for all players two months before marathon D-day, and ironed out some kinks in the process.

INEOS has also has gathered a big group of world-class pacers, who assembled several weeks ago for a test run. Kipchoge didn’t come, however, remaining at his training camp in Kenya. Remarkably, he appears not to have run a race since his London Marathon victory last April in 2:02:37. Despite an accumulating wealth, he follows a simple, spartan approach in his training.

In the pre-event press conference adjacent to the finish line on the Hauptallee in the heart of Vienna, Kipchoge exuded confidence ahead of his historic bid. “I’m feeling well, I’m happy with the course and I am waiting for Saturday,” explains Eliud, who last year set a stunning new world record time of 2:01:39 in the Berlin Marathon.

“Vienna is a sporting city. The crowd loves sport in Vienna and the course is flat and fast and in a park – a natural environment. Berlin was about running a world record, Vienna is about running and breaking history, like the first man on the moon.”

Kipchoge has been training hard in his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya for the past four months and he has been delighted with his preparations. Training under the coaching of his long-time personal coach, Patrick Sang, and supported by a word-class team of experts in his quest for glory, he believes he has the tools to handle the enormous expectation leading into the race.

Physically fit

“Pressure is everywhere, and I’m trying to stay as calm as possible,” he says. “This race means a lot. I just have to make that click in people’s minds that no human is limited. You cannot be physical fit without being mentally fit, if your mind is there then you will be well.”

In May, 2017 Eliud attempted to run a sub-two-hour marathon as part of the Breaking2 Project in Monza and ran 2:00:25 – just 26 seconds short of his quest. Some two-and-a-half years on and the 34-year-old Kenyan believes he is in a much better position to achieve this iconic goal.

“Before Roger Bannister ran a sub-four-minute mile many humans believed it was not possible,” he explains. “Last year I ran 2:01:39 (in Berlin) no human being at that time thought it was possible. When Kenenisa Bekele ran 2:01:41 (at the Berlin Marathon last month), that is a perfect illustration that no human is limited.”

“I feel more prepared, more ready and more confident. I have been running with that (sub-two-hour) speed for the past two years, so it is not a case of wondering how I am going to do it. Nothing is 100 per cent certain but I can assure you I am calm and looking forward to Saturday,” he explains.

“Saturday is about making history that no human is limited and about giving positivity to the world and making sure every human being smiles.”

In fact, Eliud is so confident, his wife, Grace, and children; Lynne, Griffin and Gordon will be in attendance for the first time at a race. “It means a lot. I would like them to be part of history.”

An electric car will be used to control the pace of the race, which will be set at a consistent 2:50 minute per kilometre.  A world class line-up of 41 pacemakers will be used to help Eliud achieve his goals.

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