Kipyegon: How Eliud Kipchoge inspired me
By Vincent Voiyoh, June 15, 2023Double Olympic and World champion Faith Kipyegon yesterday revealed about the inspiration she has received from Eliud Kipchoge who is regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time.
Kipchoge who became the first man to finish a marathon under two hours when he clocked 1:59.40 in Vienna, Australia during the Ineos Challenge in 2019 is the reigning world record holder in marathon (2:01:09 in Berlin) and an incessant source of inspiration to many in and out of sports globally.
That inspiration has been extended to Kenya’s sensational runner Faith Kipyegon who has braved a test of time to break the previous time barriers in women’s 5000m and 1500m.
“Since I joined the Kaptagat training camp under Global Sports Communication, the athletes there have been giving immense motivations about their achievements in marathons.
Sometimes I follow them in training and they have made me feel the urge to one day become a marathoner. Eliud Kipchoge has really inspired me not only in athletics but also in real life.
He has been telling me that to attain great levels of excellence requires discipline, dedication and hard work. He has really helped me in this and am following in his footsteps,” Kipyegon told People Sport.
After breaking the world record in 5000m in Paris last week, a video of Kipchoge celebrating in jubilation went viral in Kenya and beyond; a gesture of bliss from the king of the road running towards Kipyegon’s dazzling show last week.
“I saw that video and I really cried to see Eliud cheering me. Eliud is my training partner and the celebration in the video was so humbling to me. I want to thank all my other training partners at Kaptagat, my coach and all my fans across the world who did wish me well in the races in Florence and Paris,” Kipyegon added.
Next on the program for the brilliant Kipyegon is Monaco Diamond League next month and all eyes will be on her again now that she is the athlete of the moment after smashing two records in the Paris and Florence meetings.
The mother of one is expected to discuss with her coach Patrick Sang on the possibility of competing in both women’s 1500m and 5000m at the World Athletics Championships set for Budapest, Hungary in August.