Eliud Kipchoge re-defined human limits when he shattered running's last great barrier — the sub-two-hour marathon.
Kipchoge ran a historic 1:59:40 marathon in Vienna last year, averaging an extraordinary 4 minutes and 33 seconds per mile.
This is his story 👇
Kipchoge ran a historic 1:59:40 marathon in Vienna last year, averaging an extraordinary 4 minutes and 33 seconds per mile.
This is his story 👇
Few people believed it was possible for a human to achieve this remarkable milestone — at least this soon.
As recently as last year, one expert predicted the two-hour mark wouldn’t be broken until 2028 or 2029. But Kipchoge had no doubts about his ability to make history.
As recently as last year, one expert predicted the two-hour mark wouldn’t be broken until 2028 or 2029. But Kipchoge had no doubts about his ability to make history.
Kipchoge, the most decorated marathoner on the planet, comes from humble beginnings.
He grew up the youngest of four siblings in Kapsisiywa, a small village in rural Kenya. His dad died when Kipchoge was very young so he was raised by his mom, who worked as a teacher.
He grew up the youngest of four siblings in Kapsisiywa, a small village in rural Kenya. His dad died when Kipchoge was very young so he was raised by his mom, who worked as a teacher.
As a child, Kipchoge ran 2 miles to and from school every day.
When he finished high school, he supported his family by collecting milk from the village & selling it in Kapsabet, a 12-mile bike ride away.
"Life was hard. But I have never complained. And I never will complain."
When he finished high school, he supported his family by collecting milk from the village & selling it in Kapsabet, a 12-mile bike ride away.
"Life was hard. But I have never complained. And I never will complain."
Kipchoge's life changed when he met Patrick Sang, a respected figure who had studied at Texas & won an Olympic silver medal in the steeplechase before returning to Kapsisiywa.
He organized sports events in the region when he saw potential in then 16-year-old Kipchoge.
He organized sports events in the region when he saw potential in then 16-year-old Kipchoge.
“When you’re young, you always hope that one day you’ll be somebody,” Sang said. “And in that journey, you need someone to hold you by the hand. So for me, when you find a young person with a passion, don’t disappoint them. Give them a helping hand and see them grow.”
The more Sang worked with Kipchoge, the faster Kipchoge advanced.
He learned to take control of his mind as well as his body.
He learned how to smile through the pain.
He understood the importance of self-discipline.
He learned to take control of his mind as well as his body.
He learned how to smile through the pain.
He understood the importance of self-discipline.
Kipchoge keeps his life simple — no partying, no drugs, no frivolous spending.
“If you have a sharp knife, it will cut straight and clean," he says. "That is how I make my decisions. Self-discipline is not a one-night thing. Learn to say no to passions and impulses."
“If you have a sharp knife, it will cut straight and clean," he says. "That is how I make my decisions. Self-discipline is not a one-night thing. Learn to say no to passions and impulses."
Kipchoge has nothing to prove.
He has won 12 of the 13 marathons he’s entered during his career, including the Rio 2016 Olympic Games marathon, and 4 London marathons.
He also holds the marathon world record for a run during competition. He is the reigning Olympic champion.
He has won 12 of the 13 marathons he’s entered during his career, including the Rio 2016 Olympic Games marathon, and 4 London marathons.
He also holds the marathon world record for a run during competition. He is the reigning Olympic champion.
So why take on the two-hour marathon?
“The reason for running 1:59 is not the performance. The reason to run 1:59 is to tell that farmer he is not limited; that teacher that she can produce good results; that engineer he can go to another project.
"No human is limited."
“The reason for running 1:59 is not the performance. The reason to run 1:59 is to tell that farmer he is not limited; that teacher that she can produce good results; that engineer he can go to another project.
"No human is limited."
Kipchoge will run the marathon in the Olympics this Sunday, Aug. 8.
Read his full deep dive here:
theprofile.substack.com/p/eliud-kipcho…
Read his full deep dive here:
theprofile.substack.com/p/eliud-kipcho…
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