Eliud Kipchoge remained nonchalantly cool amidst a clamour by just about everyone to have a piece of him prior to today’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, which marked the start of his “world tour” ahead to his retirement from the sport he has dominated in the past decade.
The Goat, as the Kenyan running superstar is commonly referred to, is used to having all the attention on him. And when media personnel and race staff jostled for a word and even a selfie with him at the pre-race media conference after he was shown great love by crowds during a shake-out run in the week, the 41-year-old remained unfazed.
Lapel microphones were pinned on and off his top as journalists took turns to briefly interview him, and through it all the two-time Olympics marathon champion flashed that now renowned grin he has often worn en route to many a victory.
When he eventually spoke, it was with the eloquence of a champion accustomed to it all – Kipchoge adding his weighty voice to the support of Cape Town’s quest to become an Abbots Marathon Major.
“I feel great being in Cape Town; being on home soil in our continent, and I am really happy to come and trump up big and huge support for this race to become an Abbots Major Marathon next year,” the man who twice held the world record in the 42.195km distance said, adding a reminder that he has always advocated for the continent to get a major marathon.
‘I’ve always said that before I quit the sport I would like to bring a big marathon ton Africa. And this one has happened. So, I am really happy.”
His delight will know no bounds, perhaps even more than when he clocked that sub 2hr marathon in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Austria in 2019.
“”I am really looking forward to the huge announcement saying that the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is now officially an Abbott Marathon. I will be a very happy person.”
Kipchoge called on the continent to fully rally their support for the Mother City race to be graded on par with the likes of Berlin, London and New York as Africa’s first Major.
“Above all I think this is the only marathon where all of us in Africa, the 54 countries, must take pride off. I feel like I should write a letter to everyone who is running the sport in their country to send their support to Cape Town because this is our baby and we should all take care of it.”
While his compatriot Sebastian Sawe became the first man to officially run the marathon under two hours when he clocked an impressive 1:59:30 to win the London Marathon last month, Kipchoge remains the man who got the world to believe it could be done.
“I don’t believe in limits,” he said without a hint of doubt. “And moreso, I’ve seen that the whole world no longer believes in limits having seen a few weeks ago that they managed to break the two-hour marathon. I am happy that I showed them the way. I always say that I inspire and they diver and that’s what happened.”
Inspire he certainly has. Kipchoge’s sees running as more than a sport and urged South Africans to “get out of your doors and run as a way to build a huge and happy country because when you run you become positive”.
by Matshelane Mamabolo
- Eliud Kipchoge appeared calm and composed before the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
- The marathon marks the beginning of Kipchoge's "world tour."
- This tour leads up to his retirement from professional running.
- Kipchoge has dominated the sport of marathon running for the past decade.
- The full article is available through the Sunday World e-edition.
Eliud Kipchoge remained nonchalantly cool amidst a clamour by just about everyone to have a piece of him prior to today’s Sanlam Cape Town
Lapel microphones were pinned on and off his top as journalists took turns to briefly interview him, and through it all the two-time Olympics marathon champion flashed that now renowned grin he has often worn en route to many a victory.
When he eventually spoke, it was with the eloquence of a champion accustomed to it all – Kipchoge adding his weighty voice to the support of Cape Town's quest to become an Abbots
“I feel great being in Cape Town; being on home soil in our continent, and I am really happy to come and trump up big and huge support for this race to become an Abbots Major
‘I’ve always said that before I quit the sport I would like to bring a big marathon ton Africa.
His delight will know no bounds, perhaps even more than when he clocked that sub 2hr marathon in the INEOS 1:59
"”I am really looking forward to the huge announcement saying that the Sanlam Cape Town
Kipchoge called on the continent to fully rally their support for the
“Above all I think this is the only marathon where all of us in Africa, the 54 countries, must take pride off. I feel like I should write a letter to everyone who is running the sport in their country to send their support to Cape Town because this is our baby and we should all take care of it.”
While his compatriot Sebastian Sawe became the first man to officially run the marathon under two hours when he clocked an impressive 1:59:30 to win the
“I don't believe in limits,” he said without a hint of doubt. “
Inspire he certainly has. Kipchoge’s sees running as more than a sport and urged
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