Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge was among the thousands of fans who turned out for the English Premier League blockbuster between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Manchester United celebrated Kipchoge’s presence with a social media post featuring photos of the athlete near the tunnel, captioned: “A legend in our midst. Great to see you, Eliud Kipchoge.”
Eliud Kipchoge attends
Kipchoge’s attendance followed a visit to Manchester United’s training camp at Carrington on Saturday, where he shared insights and knowledge with the club’s performance team and players.
A legend in our midst 🏃
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2024
Great to see you, @EliudKipchoge 🤝#MUFC pic.twitter.com/GtJNB2R5LF
Earlier, he was presented with a personalized Manchester United jersey featuring his name and the number “159,” commemorating his historic achievement of running a marathon in under two hours during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.
This visit comes on the heels of a recent announcement by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner of Manchester United, revealing plans to collaborate with Kipchoge and his coaches to enhance the team’s performance at Old Trafford.
Kipchoge’s close relationship with Ratcliffe, which was cemented during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, forms the foundation of this collaboration.
Renowned for his philosophical insights and mental resilience, Kipchoge’s potential role in mentoring Manchester United players could add a unique dimension to the initiative.
Elevating this collaboration further is the potential involvement of New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby stars, known for their dominance and mental toughness.
Manchester United transformation
Their expertise in cultivating resilience could be transformative for Manchester United’s squad, ushering in a new era of athletic excellence.
Additionally, marathon runners from the INEOS-backed NN group have previously shared their knowledge on mentality and endurance with the All Blacks. The possibility of them visiting the club’s base to exchange ideas is highly anticipated.
