I’ll run the marathon in under two hours, says legendary Eliud Kipchoge
Multiple Olympic medallist from Kenya is confident he will become the first sub-two hour man after coming agonisingly close in Milan in May
An unmistakable air of respect wafts through the room as Eliud Kipchoge – considered the greatest marathoner of the modern era – takes his seat. The once clamorous background falls completely silent after the legendary Kenyan opens with his characteristically gentle voice.
But do not let it fool you. The 32-year-old Kipchoge, who is in Hong Kong as a part of his Nike Run Club China tour, has a fire in his belly like never before. And it is all to do with the number two.
The International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) official world record for the men’s marathon is 2:02:57, set by fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2014. Kipchoge’s best official time – emphasis on official – is 2:03:05.
“I am really concentrated on running the world record,” said Kipchoge, a 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist with Olympic medals from 2004 and 2008. “I have confidence and I’m not stopping.”
Watch: Eliud Kipchoge runs 2:00:25 in Milan