Eliud Kipchoge is a man on a mission. Even after becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours on Saturday, Kipchoge wants more out of life than just breaking human limits.
Responding to a congratulatory message from former United States president, Barack Obama, on Monday morning, Kipchoge solicited a meeting with the retired leader to discuss world peace.
“Dear Mr. Obama, Thank you for your special words. In life we hope to inspire others. Thank you for inspiring me. It would be my greatest honour if we could meet, and discuss how we can make this world a running world. As a running world is a peaceful world. #NoHumanIsLimited,” said Kipchoge on his reply to Mr Obama.
Obama, a former two-term US president who has roots in Kenya, is considered one of the country’s ‘greatest exports’ alongside our world-famous tea, coffee, and flowers.
The retired US president’s tweet congratulating Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei for their weekend feats garnered over 207,000 likes and 12,000 retweets a mere 12 hours after it was posted.
“Yesterday[Saturday], marathoner Eliud Kipchoge became the first ever to break two hours. Today [Sunday] in Chicago, Brigid Kosgei set a new women’s world record. Staggering achievements on their own, they’re also remarkable examples of humanity’s ability to endure—and keep raising the bar,” said Obama, who was awed by the pattern of Kenyans setting.
Obama's praise was triggered by Kosgei’s breaking of the 16-year women’s marathon set in April 2003 by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, and the former US leader was quick to notice the Kenyan motif.
The 25-year-old Kenyan recorded a time of 2:14:04, shattering by one minute and 22 seconds, Radcliffe’s mark of 2:15:25 set at the London Marathon in 2003.
A day earlier, assisted by 41 pacemakers, Kipchoge ran a sub-two hour marathon, clocking 1:59:40 but the event was not recognised as a world record because it was not run in accordance with International Association of Athletics Federations rules.
