Record-breaker Eluid Kipchoge is on his way to Vienna for the INEOS 1:59 challenge.
Eliud Kipchoge ran a memorable race in September 2018 smashing Dennis Kimetto’s four-year-old World Record en route to winning the Berlin Marathon running in a time of 2:01:39, as reported by Capital News. The marathon runner who has made a name for himself breaking records, and making history is set to chart a new course for himself and the Kenyan nation with the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. The challenge which is set to take place in Vienna, Austria will see Kipchoge run a marathon to break the infamous 2-hour record barrier. If he does break the record, he will be he first and only human on the planet to have run a marathon in under 2 hours, a major fete for any marathoner.
Safaricom has taken this opportunity to rally behind the history-maker, unveiling a new M-Pesa icon in honor of Eluid Kipchoge. Taking to Twitter the telecommunications giant commented on Kipchoge’s efforts towards the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, stating ” this is a super-human fete that takes great talent and effort to even accomplish. In this regard, we will be going beyond having Kipchoge as our ambassador; Equally, Safaricom will also become Eliud Kipchoge’s ambassador.”
.@michaelj2 To show our commitment and respect to our icon, we will be changing our M-PESA brand for the next 7 days. #Eliud159
— Safaricom PLC (@SafaricomPLC) October 9, 2019
The industry leader pointed out, “For Safaricom, it is an immense honor and privilege to have the opportunity to dedicate our iconic M-PESA brand in honor of a befitting icon.”
Eluid Kipchoge will be attempting to break the 2-hour barrier for the second time, and this time the whole nation is in full support of him. Fellow sportsmen, leaders and ordinary folk have offered their best wishes to Eluid. Famed footballer Wanyama took to Twitter to share his respect and support for Kipchoge:
Asante sana Victor! Thank you for your well wishes. Hope to see you soon. 🇰🇪 https://t.co/ZqKEVDYzV3
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) October 9, 2019
And the road to Vienna has been tough and long-drawn. According to a report on Capital Sports, Kipchoge has received great support from his coaches and family. Kipchoge has been training at his Global Sports Communication camp in Kaptagat for the last few months, getting his mind ready to write history, pushed on by his own philosophical line that ‘no human is limited’.
Speaking to Capital Sport, his coach Patrick Sang said, “I think we are ready. We have trained well and prepared him to the best of our abilities. Now, it is up to the athlete. It is a mixture of everything; we are excited, we are nervous… and it is now just a matter of waiting for the event and we see what comes of it. We are hopeful,” Sang further noted.
To watch and support Eliud Kipchoge, watch him live via YouTube here.
