3 DAYS TO GO
By Mercy Namachanja
Aug 14, 2021
Eliud Kipchoge EGH (born 5 November 1984) is a Kenyan marathon runner who formerly competed at the 5000 meter event. Kipchoge was born in Kapsisiywa, Nandi County, Kenya. In 1999, Kipchoge graduated from Kaptel Secondary School, but he did not pursue running seriously at the time. Every day, he ran two miles to school. Kipchoge is the youngest of four children and was reared by a single mother. At the age of 16, he met his trainer Patrick Sang (a former Olympic steeplechase medalist).
He won the Olympic marathons in 2016 and 2020. In addition, at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, he set the world record for the marathon with a time of 2:01:39. His time was 1 minute and 18 seconds faster than the previous world record. "The best marathoner of the modern period," as he has been dubbed.
Kipchoge won his first individual global medal in 2003, when he won the junior event at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and set a world junior record over 5000 meters on the track. At the age of eighteen, he set a world record in the senior 5000 m at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, then went on to win an Olympic medal for Kenya in 2004 and won bronze at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Kipchoge won silver medals at the 2007 World Championships, 2008 Summer Olympics, and 2010 Commonwealth Games, making him a five-time World Championship 5000 m finalist.
In 2012, he switched to road running and ran the second-fastest half marathon debut in history, clocking 59:25. He set a course record in his first marathon, the 2013 Hamburg Marathon. In 2014, he won his first World Marathon Major at the Chicago Marathon, and he went on to win the series in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. He has won the London Marathon four times in a row, a record.
His only marathon losses were a second-place finish behind Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich in the 2013 Berlin Marathon, where Kipsang set a new world record, and an eighth-place finish in the 2020 London Marathon. Kipchoge raced the marathon distance in 1:59:40 at a special event in Vienna, Austria on October 12, 2019. Because typical competition regulations for pacing and fluids were not followed and it was not an open event, the run did not count as a new marathon record.
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, 36, recently won his second consecutive Olympic marathon in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 38 seconds, establishing his standing as the best runner in history over the 26.2 mile distance. He won by 80 seconds over the silver medalist from the Netherlands, Abdi Nageeye, who ran 2:09:58. Belgium's Bashir Abdi claimed bronze in 2:10:00.
“I think I fulfilled the legacy by winning the marathon for the second time,” Kipchoge told Reuters after the event. That brings me complete joy and serves as an example for the next generation.”
Eliud, who is naturally interested and has a sharp, analytical mind, has a passion for information and is an avid reader of self-help books. He is known as "The Philosopher" for his thoughtful remarks and is always happy to share his knowledge with people at his training facility in Kaptagat, where he is known as the "boss man" for his inspiring role as the de-facto camp commander.
He is philanthropic by nature and has quietly led many Kenyans to a better life by assisting with school tuition and other company start-ups. Eliud is not just a very remarkable athlete, but also a very special human being, with exemplary beliefs and a moral code for living that inspires.
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon is a Kenyan middle-distance runner who specializes in the 1500m. She was born on January 10, 1994. She was an Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020, setting an Olympic record in the latter. Since turning 20 in 2014, she has won or finished second in every major tournament. Kipyegon won a silver medal, a gold medal, and a silver medal at the World Championships in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
She won the Diamond League in 2017 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014. She set a new Kenyan record in July 2021, becoming the fourth fastest woman in history. At the 2011 World U18 Championships and the 2012 World U20 Championships, Kipyegon won gold medals. She did not make the 2012 London Olympics semifinals as an 18-year-old. However, at the 2011 and 2013 World Cross Country Championships, she won the junior events and finished fifth in the 2013 World Championships. In 2017, New African magazine named Kipyegon one of the Top 100 most influential Africans.
Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon retained her Olympics title in the Women's 1,500m race as she recorded Kenya's second Tokyo Olympics victory, and setting a new Olympic record in the process. The 27-year-old was the East African country's sole competitor in the event after Winny Chebet and Ednah Jebitok failed to qualify for the final race.
Kipyegon finished in 3:53:11, ahead of Laura Muir of the United Kingdom (3:54:50) and Siffan Hassan of the Netherlands (3:55:86). The victory by the Kenyan followed Emmanuel Korir Kipkirui's gold in the Men's 800m race on Wednesday. Kenya now has six medals from the Tokyo Olympics: two gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Following days of disappointment over a dearth of gold in numerous races held before Friday, Kipyegon's victory lit up social media in her home nation.
Leaders and citizens have congratulated her on her achievement, with some encouraging athletes who have yet to compete to follow in her footsteps.