Eliud Kipchoge has hailed his historic sub-two-hour marathon as evidence that no human is limited, following a weekend where fellow runners Sawe and Kejelcha also rewrote the record books. The Kenyan marathon legend completed the distance in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday, becoming the first person to break the two-hour barrier in a marathon.
Kipchoge's Triumph
Kipchoge, 34, described the achievement as a milestone for humanity. 'No human is limited,' he said after the race. 'I am the happiest man in the world. This is a great moment for the running world.' The run was not an official world record due to the controlled conditions, but it is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletic feats.
Sawe and Kejelcha Shine
The weekend also saw impressive performances from other Kenyan runners. Geoffrey Sawe won the Lisbon Half Marathon with a time of 59 minutes and 10 seconds, while Rhonex Kipruto Kejelcha set a new world record in the 10-kilometer road race, clocking 26 minutes and 24 seconds in Valencia, Spain. Kipchoge praised his compatriots, saying their achievements show the depth of Kenyan distance running.
Inspiration for Future Generations
Kipchoge expressed hope that his feat would inspire future generations to push beyond perceived limits. 'I want to show that no one is limited. Everyone can achieve what they want if they work hard and believe,' he said. The marathon legend also thanked his team and supporters for their role in his success.
The weekend's events have sparked widespread celebration in Kenya and the global running community, with many hailing it as a golden era for the sport.
