Sports

GROUND-BREAKING RECORD OF THE LEGENDARY MARATHONER, ELUID KIPCHOGE

The Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder, Eluid Kipchoge, on October 12, 2019 in Vienna, became the first human in history to run 26.2 miles in under 2 hours. In fact, the Kenyan, Kipchoge achieved this feat with relative ease as he finished in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 40 seconds.

During a phone interview with “Time,” Kipchoge said “my mind was clear, from the first to the last km, I knew I had it. I’m sending a message to every individual in this world that when you work hard, when you actually set your goals, when you concentrate, set your priorities in your mind, you will accomplish without a question.”

At the event, branded the INEOS1:59Challenge, the performance was heralded as a radical and historic leap. Actually, 1hr 59mins is fast in a way that is difficult to comprehend. Despite the formidable distance, Kipchoge ripped through each mile in about four and half minutes. This speed would feel like an all-out sprint for almost anyone who could keep up with him. To sustain this blistering pace, Kipchoge ran under conditions that had been painstakingly and exclusively arranged to push him beyond the two-hour barrier. That is why many critics have commented that Kipchoge’s feat is not an official world record because he did not run under any race condition. 

The event sponsored by INEOS was optimized for speed: Kipchoge ran in ideal weather on a flat course which was largely protected from wind by large trees. His team of more than 40 pacesetters included some of the best distance runners in the world who took turns in a V-formation behind him to reduce drag and wind resistance. Also, Kipchoge ran in special Nike shoes with carbon fibers which would increase speed.

The planning that went into the event was a fantasy of perfectionism. The organizers scouted out a 6-mile current along the Danube River that was flat, straight and close to the sea level. A car guided the runners by projecting its own disco-like laser in front of them to show the correct pace. In fact, Kipchoge had unfettered access to his favorite carbohydrate-rich drink, courtesy of a cyclist who rode alongside the group. That is why a running commentator called the event “a marketing exhibition for plastic manufacturer and springy shoes.”

Looked at in one way, the INEOS 1:59 Challenge is an obvious testament to how money can buy anything, including a branded sub-2 hours marathon. INEOS, which is owned by Jim Ratcliffe, British’s richest man, appeared to spare no expense when it comes to ground-breaking science or marketing blitz leading to the event.

But, perfect conditions and unavoidable INEOS logo can’t diminish Kipchoge’s magic. Having held an official record of 2 hours, 1 minutes, 39 second at Berlin in 2018, Kipchoge overcame the 1:59 challenge, nature’s impossible feat. Although, Kipchoge’s performance was not necessarily better than some of his great feats, it is obviously not in any way worse. 

However, Kipchoge remains utterly unbothered by his critics. He said he is more concerned by the people that watched or heard him run and took some inspiration from his actions, for them, it was all worth it. “I am happy to inspire somebody” he said. “And even if it is not a world record, I have broken a barrier. Which makes a difference in human life, in human family, that is my evidence.”