Humble Kipchoge avoids grand homecoming parties, fanfare

Eliud Kipchoge celebrates after crossing the finish line at the end of his attempt to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon, on Saturday. [AFP]

When Eliud Kipchoge posted an impressive 1:59.40 at the Ineos Challenge last Saturday, the world was dazed.

Reason? From South Pole to North Pole, the global audience expected a royal reception for the marathon icon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a road show to his rural home at Kapsisiywa village in Nandi County. But it never came to pass.