by Jeff Benjamin
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by London Marathon Media
Two incidents involving Eliud Kipchoge put a wide smile on my face when I think about the finest marathoner in history. I was in the media seating in Paris 2003 in St. Denis. This young Kenyan, all of 18, Eliud Kipchoge, was battling Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele. Even the announcers, with 200m to go, discounted Kipchoge’s chances.
In 2016, in London, I watched Eliud Kipchoge take Wilson Kipsang on, and win in 2:03:05. This was his second win in London, and post event, Eliud gave one of the finest press conferences in my recent memory. Eliud Kipchoge spoke about how athletes should develop long term, begin with cross country, then, track, then, move to the roads.
Awaiting The Baton In The Relay Exchange Zone – Profiles Of Athletes, Coaches & Legends During The War Against Corona
Profile # 44
The Word’s GREATEST Distance Runner
Olympic Champion
World Track & XC Champion
The Barrier Breaking 1 Hour, 59 Minutes, 40 Seconds Marathoner!
NIKE Legend Eliud Kipchoge
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by London Marathon Media
By Jeff Benjamin
This writer is truly grateful to Eliud for his time – It is altogether fitting that Eliud replies to my request today which is the 66th Anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister’s Barrier-Breaking 4-Minute Mile, an achievement that, like Kipchoge’s sub -2 Hour Marathon, proves that there are truly NO Limits in the human pursuit of Greatness!
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by London Marathon Media
How is your daily training/coaching regimen going and how challenging has it been for you in this environment?
“I am training in the morning with 4 days of running outside and 3 days of strength training…it’s a pure challenge as training in isolation is truly hard for all. Of my career life ,I have been training with my group.”
Eliud Kipchoge, photo by NN running team
What advice can you give to runners, -especially youth, high school, collegiate- who are challenged during this time as well?
“My advice to the youth in schools and collegiate is to:
-Engage themselves on positive hobbies through internet.
-Practice in their home compounds,in order to be more fitter.
-Set time for school work/studies
-Go to google on their free times to check for positive and helpful
Information.
Eliud Kipchoge, training before the pandemic, photo by NN running team
