An average guy may not be able to run one km in 3 min. I definitely cannot. To be able to run 42.2 km in 2 hours means a speed of one km in 2.84 min. If you walk or jog on the tread-mill, then the top speeds you will note there would be 16 or 18 km per hour. Eliud ran the Marathon at an average speed of 21.1 km per hour. This speed seems unimaginable to a gym runner, who feels at the top of the world after running 200 m at 16 km per hour. The greatest marathoner ever in the world, Eliud Kipchoge, is very much around and won the last Olympics Marathon. He is the only human ever to run the distance inside 2 hours. He is almost super-human and an amazing icon. He is just 5’6” and weighs just 52 kg. Top long distance runners rarely weigh over 60 kg.
Impressive Track Record
Under the long-term guidance of coach, mentor and friend Patrick Sang, Eliud first burst on the senior international scene as a teenager defeating track icons Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele to 5000m gold at the 2003 World Championships.
Eliud then went on to enjoy a distinguished track career, winning 5000m bronze and silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, respectively. He also won World 5000m silver in 2007.
After missing out on qualification for the London 2012 Olympics on the track, Eliud opted to switch to the marathon.
During an unmatched marathon career, Eliud has claimed victory in 10 out of 11 marathons, racking up an unprecedented nine successive victories. He won the Olympic marathon title in 2016 and repeated the same in 2021 at Tokyo.
Following Breaking2 and after also memorably destroying the world marathon record in Berlin last year by 78 seconds – courtesy of his stunning 2:01:39 mark – and running the second fastest marathon time in London this year, Eliud believes the time is right for him to prove no human is limited but also inspire future generations.
Eliud The Person
Born the youngest of four siblings in Kapsisiywa in the Nandi District of the Kenyan Highlands, Eliud’s father died when he was a young boy and he was raised by his mother, a kindergarten teacher.
Inspired to run by his neighbour, the former World and Olympic steeplechase silver medallist Patrick Sang, the then teenage Eliud approached Patrick – who had started life as a coach – for a training program.
The gregarious and generous coach agreed and so began a hugely successful 18-year coach-athlete relationship in which Patrick has handed down his principles of hard-work, patience and discipline to his protégé.
A loyal and devoted family man, married to Grace and with three children, Lynne, Griffin and Jordon, Eliud acknowledges the inspirational role his family play in his life terming them affectionately as his “ignition key.”
Naturally curious in nature and possessing a clear, analytical mind – Eliud has a thirst for knowledge and is a voracious reader of self-help books.
Known as “The Philosopher” for his carefully considered quotes he is always willing to share his wisdom with all those at his training base in Kaptagat where he is termed the “boss man” for his inspirational role as the de-facto camp leader.
Humble and caring he currently serves as an ambassador of WildAid and recently became a Daily Mile Ambassador, an initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of children.
Philanthropic by nature he has, without fanfare, helped many Kenyans to a better life by helping pay school fees and other set up businesses.
Possessing exemplary principles and a moral code for living which inspires, Eliud is not only a very special athlete but also a very special human being.
