Lorupe leads athletes in rallying support for Kipchoge

Legendary marathon athlete Tegla Lorupe and Olympic Javelin silver medallist Julius Yego are among athletes who have expressed their support of Eliud Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 challenge slated for Saturday in Vienna, Austria.

The much-hyped event where the world marathon record holder will be trying to break sub-two-hour mark in a marathon race has been confirmed for Sunday between 6am-10am.

With less to 48-hours to the race, Kipchoge’s compatriots have showered the athlete with praise and words of encouragement as he attempts to do what no human has ever done.

Here are some of the athletes and other sports stakeholders who spoke to Citizen Digital in support of Kipchoge.

“Mine is to wish Eliud Kipchoge all the best on Saturday. He can do it, he is a great person and I urge all Kenyans to support him,” Lorupe said.

“I want to wish Eliud all the best as he tries to break sub-two hour in marathon, I know he is capable and we support him,” said former 3000m steeplechase champion Richard Mateelong.

“I also would like to wish to Kipchoge well as he goes for history in Vienna. We know he can do it,” said Yego.

“I wish Eliud Kipchoge all the best on the 1:59 challenge on Saturday. He has done a lot and deserve this great milestone,” four-time New York champion Mary Keitany said.

“I want to wish Eliud all the best as he run on Saturday. We pray for him and we hope he will break the barrier,’’ said former 3000m steeplechase champion Milcah Chemos who also doubles as athlete’s representative at Athletics Kenya.

Former world 5000m champion Benjamin Limo who competed alongside Kipchoge while before the later shifted to marathon recalled that Kipchoge has set high standards in the sport owing to his discipline.

“He is a focused athlete who always gets what he wants and although he didn’t break the barrier in 2017, he did not give up and I have no doubt this time he will achieve it,” said Limo who clinched Kenya’s last gold medal the Worlds in 5000m in 2005.

Apart from athletes’ sports leaders in various parts of the country also voiced their goodwill messages inspiring their son as he heads to conquer the world.

“On behalf of Uasin Gishu County we wish Kipchoge the best in Vienna because if he wins, we win as a country especially Uasin Gishu where he (trains),” said Joseph Kurgat CEC in charge of Sports Uasin Gishu County.

“We the people of Nandi County would like to wish Kipchoge the best of luck as he chase history in Vienna. Eliud will be trying to do what no human has done before and we are all rallying behind him,” said Nandi County Chief Officer for Sports Kennedy Tonui.