Kipchoge awarded Sh.4.1millon Isuzu D-Max cab for INEOS feat

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has said completing a competitive 42km race in under two-hours is possible.

The Olympic champion holds the world marathon record of 2:01:39 and with no human being having completed a 42km race in under two hours in a competitive race, he says the challenge is surmountable.

Even though Kipchoge beat the sub-two-hour  barrier clocking 1:59:40 at the INEOS Challenge in Vienna, Austria last month , the record was not ratified by the World Athletics  since the race was run in  favoured conditions.

Kipchoge was speaking when he was handed a brand Isuzu D-Max single cab pick-up worth Ksh 4.1milion by Isuzu East Africa after his heroics at the INEOS 159 challenge.

“If I could break the sub-two-hour barrier then it is possible to complete a normal marathon in under two hours. There is no much difference because the course was 42km like any other. It is only about believing in yourself,” said Kipchoge.

In the historic race held on October 12 in Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge clocked a record 1:59:40 becoming the first human being to run a marathon race under two hours.

Prior to the race, Isuzu East Africa had promised to award him a brand car upon successfully breaking the barrier.

“I went to Vienna to show the world that everything is possible and today I am here to collect my car (laughs). I am also working hard to achieve more feat.”

Isuzu East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe lauded Kipchoge for his record-breaking heroics.

“Eliud has been our brand ambassador and we have travelled a long journey with him. We decided to support Eliud because we saw we could give him an opportunity to win. In our organization we do not believe in limitations,” said Kavashe.

In the event held at Karura Forest Saturday, Kipchoge led a two kilometres fun race before participating in a tree-planting exercise and later on he was also involved in a panel discussion on the topic ‘No Human is Limited’- Kipchoge’s mantra.

This was the second time Isuzu was gifting Kipchoge with a vehicle as he was also feted with a Isuzu Dmax double cabin pick-up worth Sh5.9m when he set a new world record of 2:01:39 last year at the Berlin Marathon.

Kipchoge was accompanied to the event by his Global Sports Communication training mates including the World Half Marathon Geoffrey Kamworor.

The London marathon champion did however remained coy on whether he will be defending his title at the English capital next year.

“I like doing one thing at a time. After INEOS I embarked on my recovery and maybe next week I will announce my plans for next year,” he said.