INEOS announces long time tie with Kipchoge

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (R) celebrates with Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe (L) after busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna. AFP

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and British multinational chemicals company INEOS have re-united in a deal agreement that will see both sides benefit from sharing knowledge and experience across the different sports.

The deal comes at a time when the marathoner has expressed interest in defending his Olympics marathon title in 2024.

INEOS who bankrolled Kipchoge’s 2019 sub-two-hour run in Vienna dubbed “INEOS 1:59 Challenge” – announced a long-term performance partnership with the Kenyan legend and his NN Running Team with a view to, inter alia, making Kipchoge the first man to win three back-to-back Olympic marathon titles at the 2024 Paris Games.

They have since worked together on a number of successful legacy projects before the new deal that has roped in Kipchoge's team NN Running Team too.

The deal is a reunion of INEOS Chairman and CEO Jim Ratcliffe, the driving force behind the INEOS 1:59 Challenge and Eliud, the greatest marathon runner in history.

INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the company is proud to reunite with Eliud Kipchoge in a new performance partnership to help achieve his ambitious goals in running as he goes for his 3rd Olympic gold.

“Eliud is a very special person with an approach and mindset that transcends sports. We have a close affinity with Eliud after the 1:59 challenge so I’m pleased to bring him back into the fold.” Said Ratcliffe.

INEOS has an extensive portfolio across the global sports landscape and boasts some of the world’s most pre-eminent sporting teams which includes the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, America’s Cup Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia, OGC Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport.

On his part, the Kenya’s legend was excited with the offer.

To receive support from such a great entity in sports is a huge boost to myself and the team.

We have had a wonderful relationship since we first started working together and have already changed the world together once. I am excited to keep breaking barriers.” Tweeted Kipchoge.

CEO Global Sports Communication who manage the marathoner, Jos Hermens, said: “I have always worked hard to improve on the services for our athletes and with INEOS stepping in we can again make the next steps in our sport.

“It makes me incredibly proud and happy. With the NN Running Team a dream came true, and I believe we are only at the beginning of how we can improve and grow our sport.”

On his part performance Director of the NN Running Team Valentijn Trouw, said they had built a performance environment in which they offer support to athletes to reach the best of their potential.

 

"The continuation of the partnership with INEOS, will help us grow in future ambitions. On a daily basis, we still see the effects of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, the inspiration, the exposure and the performance insights gained throughout the project.

‘I am looking forward to the insights we can mutually share and benefit from in the upcoming years.”

The NN Running team is known to drive innovation within the world of running.

It offers a new level of fan engagement and has connected millions of runners around the world.?

Adding INEOS to the commercial landscape of the team shows that the team concept adds value to the sport. Driven by performance, showcasing its athletes and the human side of sport attracts a group of sponsors that believe in the mission of the team.