How Eliud Kipchoge Ran Marathon in Under 2 Hours Ahead of Faith Kipyegon’s Mile Attempt
- Faith Kipyegon will try and emulate Eliud Kipchoge in her upcoming Breaking4 Mile attempt in Paris
- The triple Olympic champion will try and become the first woman to run the mile in under four minutes
- Kipchoge successfully attempted to break the marathon barrier in 2019 and will be watching his compatriot on June 26
On Thursday, June 26, Faith Kipyegon will attempt to become the first woman to run the mile in under two minutes, an effort inspired by Eliud Kipchoge’s historic marathon sub-two-hour breakthrough.
Source: Getty Images
How did Eliud Kipchoge's marathon attempt come along?
Since making a winning debut in the men’s marathon in Hamburg in 2013, Kipchoge has gone on to dominate the distance, setting world records and winning Olympic gold medals.
He has won every Abbott World Marathon Major except the Boston and New York City Marathons, and broke the world record in both 2018 and 2022 (2:01:09).
At his peak in 2017, he set out to be the first man to run a marathon in under two hours. While he fell short, after all, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
In a Nike project dubbed Breaking2, Kipchoge clocked 2:00:25, narrowly missing the mark. He was still on top of his game, and a second attempt would come in 2019.
“My mind was fully on finishing within two hours, but on the last lap I lost 10 seconds and the time escaped,” said Kipchoge after his performance via World Athletics. “It has been hard, it has taken seven good months of preparation and dedication. This journey has been a long challenge, but I’m a happy man to run a marathon in two hours."
How Kipchoge shattered marathon barrier
In 2019, he got another opportunity to break the 2-hour marathon barrier. He teamed up with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos in a project dubbed Ineos 1:59, held in Austria in October 2019.
Kipchoge obliterated the barrier with a time of 1:59:40.2, marking a historic moment in sport that will leave an indelible legacy in the athletic world.
Source: Getty Images
Kipchoge achieved his milestone with the help of a world-class team of pacemakers and an electric car equipped with futuristic lasers to guide him. He completed his fastest kilometre in 2 minutes and 48 seconds (2:48), with his slowest coming in at 2 minutes and 52 seconds (2:52).
“This was the best moment of my life,” Kipchoge said after the race. “From the first kilometre today I was really comfortable. In my heart and my mind I hoped to run under two hours and make history. I hoped to leave a positive message to the whole world that no human is limited.”
With over 10 marathon victories, world records, and two Olympic gold medals, Kipchoge is set to be remembered as one of the greatest athletes to ever grace the sport.
Can Faith Kipyegon emulate Kipchoge?
Like Kipchoge, Kipyegon has ruled the women’s 1500m for nearly a decade, with three world and Olympic titles in the distance, along with a world record to her name.
On Thursday, she will attempt to break the four-minute barrier in the women’s mile, aiming to emulate the great Roger Bannister and her compatriot Kipchoge.
The 31-year-old holds the women's mile record (4:07.64) in Monaco in 2023. Kipyegon needs to shave off 7.64 seconds to break the barrier. Can she do it?
Kipchoge backs Kipyegon to break mile barrier
In a separate story, TUKO.co.ke reported that Kipchoge backed Kipyegon to break the mile barrier.
The veteran marathoner championed Kipyegon to achieve the historic milestone and inspire generations.
Kipchoge and Kipyegon are considered among the icons of Kenyan sports.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
