BERLIN: For Kenya’s Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, breaking the marathon world record was always about when and not if. But the manner in which he did it Sunday in Berlin – delivering the largest single improvement timing since Derek Clayton improved the mark by 2:23 way back in 1967 – makes it without a shade of doubt the greatest performance in the history of marathon running on the male side.
In achieving the first sub 2:02 timing in history, Kipchoge shaved off an incredible one minute and 18 seconds from the record of 2:02:57 set four years ago by fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, who at the time was the first man to break the 2:03 barrier.
Kipchoge annihilated that timing with his magical run at the BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, winning the IAAF Gold Label road race in 2:01:39. The stuff of dreams! Draw on as many superlatives as one can think of, they would all fail to do justice to the epic dimensions of this latest feat of human capability.
As for the race itself, from the early stages, the 33-year-old Kenyan had just a handful of pacemakers for company as they passed through five kilometres in 14:24 and 10 kilometres in 29:21. But shortly after 15 kilometres, which was reached in 43:38, two of the three pacemakers were unable to continue and withdrew from the race.
The final pacemaker, Josphat Boit, led Kipchoge through the half-way point in 1:01:06 before dropping out at 25 kilometres, covered in 1:12:24.
Running alone with 17 kilometres left, Kipchoge then sped up.
He passed the 35-kilometre checkpoint just a shade outside 1:41:00, suggesting a finishing time inside 2:02 was possible. By 40 kilometres, reached in 1:55:32, a world record looked a certainty.
Kipchoge maintained his form well in the closing stages and crossed the finish line in 2:01:39 with a lot still left in the tank, suggesting that a sub 2 hour mark might well be within the reach of this incredible once in a generation athlete.
Kipchoge posted the following message on his Instagram Timeline after his historic feat:
“Today the 16th of September 2018, I ran a world record in Berlin, it couldn’t happen without the support of the following:
My gratitude and honor goes to:
1. My family
I thank my wife (Grace) and my kids (Lynne, Griffin and Jordon) for the overwhelming support they gave me for the last 4 months of training, you always inspire me and you are my ignition key.
2. Coaches
My coach Patrick Sang is my all-time coach and supporter, he is my life coach not forgetting his two assistants (Meto and Koech). You made this day realizable.
3. Global Sports Communication
This is a wonderful management, led by director Jos Hermens and Valentijn Trouw, and all entire team, you are such a wonderful management company.
4. Nike
Nike company led by Phil Knight and sports marketing Capriotti, not forgetting the innovation and design team. On the other hand the physiologists led by Brett Kirby, thank you for the support for over 15 years.
5. NN Running Team
You are such a wonderful team and the spirit of bringing teammates to the sports is overwhelming.
6. My training mates
Kaptagat team, you are such a wonderful family, I like you all, I wish everybody all the best in the coming races. Cheers brothers and sisters, teamwork is the key.
7. Isuzu company
It’s a wonderful local and international car manufacturer, you gave me another leg to train on by providing all my transport. I will always be with you. Tuko Pamoja Safarini.
8. My fans
I totally respect all my fans across the globe, from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all social media. You always push me ahead.
In one word ‘Thank you’ all and God bless you all.”
As for the rest of the field, Amos Kipruto finished a distant second in 2:06:23 while former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang was third in 2:06:48.
Gladys Cherono made it a Kenyan double by winning the women’s race in a course record of 2:18:11.
Multiple world and Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba led during the early stages, passing through half way in 1:09:03. Cherono, Ruti Aga, Edna Kiplagat and Helen Tola were close behind, and when Dibaba started to struggle a few kilometres later, Cherono moved into pole position.
Cherono, the winner in Berlin in 2015 and 2017, successfully defended her title in 2:18:11, taking more than a minute off the course record set 13 years ago by Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi.
Aga followed 23 seconds later to take second place in 2:18:34 while Dibaba held on for third place in 2:18:55. It was the first marathon in history in which three women finished inside 2:19.
