Team of experts working closely with Eliud Kipchoge

Global Sports Communication is leaving nothing to chance in preparing Eliud Kipchoge to deliver a sub-two-hour performance.

Armand Bettonviel (Nutrition Expert)

PHILOSOPHY: “Be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what you will become.”

PERSONAL GOAL: To further optimize Eliud’s metabolism so he will physically be able to execute the INEOS 1:59 challenge.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: To execute the drinking plan with Eliud running at such a high average speed. Furthermore, the fact the event date is not fixed presents challenges. Any delay will challenge the optimal metabolic preparation.

PERSONAL CONNECTION: Determination, sacrifices, focus and 100 per cent commitment are key elements in such a project. I personally strongly identify with these elements so that’s the reason I’m fully committed to Eliud.

Armand Bettonviel studied physiology, exercise and nutrition at Stirling University. His academic interest and expertise is in the exercise biochemistry and translating this knowledge into nutritional strategies for elite athletes.

Valentijn Trouw (Athlete Manager)

PHILOSOPHY: “A pyramid you build from the base to the top.”

PERSONAL GOAL: To create positive energy by setting an example to think in possibilities rather than in obstacles

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: To stay focussed on key areas and not get carried away by side issues

PERSONAL CONNECTION: To help to bring the real Eliud Kipchoge coming forward, both as an athlete and as a human being, and in doing so to enable him to inspire others

Valentijn Trouw started working for Global Sports Communication (GSC) in 2003 as an Athlete Representative and Elite Athlete Coordinator and now has a senior role within the company as Athlete Manager.

Valentijn has helped to build the careers of Olympic and World Championships medallists Eliud Kipchoge, Tsegaye Kebede, Faith Kipyegon and Geoffrey Kamworor among others.

The main focus of his job is to build and then guide a strong team of professionals around an individual athlete to help them perform to the best of their ability.

Patrick Sang (Lead Coach)

PHILOSOPHY: “Trust is everything”

PERSONAL GOAL: To see Eliud run under two hours in Vienna.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge is the things that you are unable to control.

PERSONAL CONNECTION: I have been the coach of Eliud since 2002 although now I say that is me who is the student and Eliud the coach.

Patrick Sang is Eliud Kipchoge’s coach and before that was an Olympic medal-winning athlete himself. Sang was born in Kenya and won a track scholarship to the USA where he attended the University of Texas and Iowa State University. Sang went on to represent Kenya and won three silver medals in the 3000m steeplechase at global championships: the 1991 and 1993 World Championships and the 1992 Olympics.

Sang started coaching in 1995, three years before he retired from competing himself. He met Kipchoge in 2001 and became his coach in 2002, helping him to a World Championships gold medal in the 5000m a year later. He has been with Kipchoge ever since through his success on the track right up to his Olympic gold medal and world record in the marathon.

Sang has also coached a host of Olympic and World Champions including Bernard Barmasai, Richard Limo, Ruben Kosgei, Brimin Kipruto, Hyvin Kiyeng and Geoffrey Kamworor.

Jos Hermens (GSC CEO)

PHILOSOPHY: “What you reap is what you sow”

PERSONAL GOAL: To see a sub two-hour marathon.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: To get all the details ready in the right moment and the right place.

PERSONAL CONNECTION: I have had the honour of working with Eliud and his coach Patrick Sang since 2001. Since I broke the one hour world record with 13,01 miles (20.944m), I am fascinated by one hour and two hour running events. I worked with Haile Gebrselassie when, in 2008, he smashed the marathon world record and became the first athlete to break the 2:04 barrier. Since that moment I wondered whether it was possible to run a sub two-hour marathon. I am convinced Eliud is the man who can.

Jos Hermens is a former athlete who is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Sports Communication (GSC.)

Jos won the Dutch Sportsman of the Year title in 1975 and 1976 and improved the one hour record twice. He retired aged 28 due to injuries and in 1985 started his own company, Sports Communication Services, later to become GSC. This company helps athletes with coaching, competitions, sponsorship, medical care, marketing and PR.

Peter Vergouwen (Physician)

PHILOSOPHY: “Think different; never give up.”

PERSONAL GOAL: To contribute to and advise on the development and improvement of all physical and mental attributes Eliud will need to complete the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: The biggest challenge is to keep Eliud healthy, injury-free and in top fitness throughout the whole preparation period and to ensure recovery and body care are just as important as training.

PERSONAL CONNECTION: From the start of my physical education and sports medical career I have been fascinated by people and elite athletes, who want to break through barriers in their own lives and careers. Pushing boundaries is an ultimate challenge for everyone who wants to achieve something with their own life as Eliud says, No Human is Limited.

Peter Vergouwen started his career as a PE teacher, then became a sports medical doctor and then, as a sports physician, managed to create an ideal combination of both jobs.

Since 2003, Peter has worked for the Department of Elite Sports Medicine in Hospital in the Netherlands, next to the national sports centre, Papendal.

Peter Nduhiu (Physiotherapist)

PHILOSOPHY: “Just follow your passion”

PERSONAL GOAL: To make sure we support Eliud to achieve his goal and his dream to be the first human being to run under two hours for the marathon.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: For me the biggest is challenge is to keep Eliud healthy, but I am very confident about that.

PERSONAL CONNECTION: The fact that I am the main physiotherapist and that I have to carry through Eliud’s dream of running 1.59.

Peter Nduhui is Eliud Kipchoge’s physiotherapist, working full-time at the Global Sports Communication (GSC) camp in Kaptagat. After studying in Havana, Cuba, he came back to Kenya and started working in Kenyata National Hospital in Nairobi as a General Practioner.

Nduhiu joined Athletics Kenya in 1998 and in 2003, while working with the Kenyan team preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games, he first met Eliud Kipchoge, starting a relationship both with the athlete and GSC.

Nduhiu has attended Olympic Games and World Championships with the Kenyan team.