Eliud Kipchoge’s win in Sunday’s Berlin marathon brought together a host of world leading athletes, fans, relatives in Eldoret and North Rift counties.
Kipchoges wife Grace Sugut and his coach Richard Metto gathered at Clique Hotel in the outskirts of Eldoret town to watch Kenyan marathoners battle out with Ethiopians in the Germany city.
Grace praised her husband for winning the race which was highly competitive that was turned into Kenya-Ethiopia at the finish line.
Grace said he (Kipchoge) had promised to do well and the race and return to the country with a win.
“He promised us as a family that he will be going to win the race and we should pray for him, which we did very well. Above all, he has delivered the promise,” said Grace who had accompanied her children to watch their father tackle Berlin streets.
His coach Metto said despite losing out on the world record that was set in 2014 by Dennis Kimetto at 2:02.57, was not an issue but a win is.
“The fact that he did not break the world record, he made us proud by winning the race with a better time,” said Metto who had accompanied Kiopchoge’s training mates from Global Sports Communication in Kaptagat.
Among those who attended the viewerthon were 3,000m steeplechase runner Brimin Kipruto, double world hald marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, marathon runner Philemon Rono among retired athletes.
But double Boston marathon runner Moses Tanui said the world record was difficult to be achieved following the humid weather.
“When it rains, the air becomes heavy therefore you can’t run with speed,” said Tanui who is now the captain of Eldoret golf club.
It was good showing for Gladys Cherono who won women’s race. Cherono clocked 2:20.23 leading Ethiopian Ruti Aga and Valary Jemeli Ayabei who clocked 2:20.41 and 2:20.53 respectively as Ethiopian Helen Tola in 2:22.51.
Selected results
Men
Eliud Kipchoge- 2:03.32 (KE)
Guye Adola-2:03.46 (ETH)
Mosinet Geremew-2:06.09(ETH)
Feliix Kandie – 2:06.13 (KE)
Vincent Kipruto-2:0614 (KE).
Women
Gladys Cherono 2:20.23
Ruti Aga – 2:20.41 (KE)
Valary Jemeli Ayabei -2:20.53 (KE)
Helen Tola in 2:22.51 (ETH)
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