Want to inspire people in India: Kipchoge
Nov 18, 2016, New Delhi, PTI
One of the greatest marathoners of all time, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya on Thursday said that he chose to run in Sunday’s Delhi Half Marathon to inspire the people of India in taking up road running.
The 32-year-old Kipchoge will be making his first competitive race appearance after winning the Rio Olympics marathon gold earlier this year.
“I love this country and the people. I want to inspire the people of India, especially the youth to take up to this sport. Road running is also good for health. I want to tell this to the people of India,” he said when asked what prompted him to take part in the Delhi Half Marathon.
“I consider Delhi Half Marathon as one of the best half marathon races. I look forward to run my best, clock a strong timing on Sunday. My preparation has been good,” he stated.
Kipchoge had been to India earlier as he had won a silver in 5000M race in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. He started running marathon races in 2012.
Asked what is left to be achieved in his illustrious career, Kipchoge said, “I want to win all the World Marathon Majors and of course I want to achieve the world record.”
Out of the six World Marathon Majors, Kipchoge has won the Chicago, London and Berlin.
The other three are Boston, New York and Tokyo. Dennis Kimetto of Kenya holds the marathon world record timing of 2:02:57, while Kipchoge’s 2:03:05 in London Marathon this year was the third fastest all time. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele has the second fastest time of 2:03:03.
Kipchoge, who has a personal best time of 59.25 minutes in half marathon, will lead a strong men’s elite field at Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.
Other top runners include Yigrem Demelash (59.49) of Ethiopia, Gladwin Mzazi (61.12) and rising Tanzanian runner Alphonce Sambu (62.58) who was placed fifth at the Rio Olympics marathon.
Among the elite women’s field, reigning world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya will be the hot favourite to win the race. Other top competitors include Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia and Gladys Chesir, who was third here last year.
The starting line-up on Sunday will be one of the best so far at Delhi Half Marathon with 13 athletes who competed at Rio Olympics.
The 32-year-old Kipchoge will be making his first competitive race appearance after winning the Rio Olympics marathon gold earlier this year.
“I love this country and the people. I want to inspire the people of India, especially the youth to take up to this sport. Road running is also good for health. I want to tell this to the people of India,” he said when asked what prompted him to take part in the Delhi Half Marathon.
“I consider Delhi Half Marathon as one of the best half marathon races. I look forward to run my best, clock a strong timing on Sunday. My preparation has been good,” he stated.
Kipchoge had been to India earlier as he had won a silver in 5000M race in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. He started running marathon races in 2012.
Asked what is left to be achieved in his illustrious career, Kipchoge said, “I want to win all the World Marathon Majors and of course I want to achieve the world record.”
Out of the six World Marathon Majors, Kipchoge has won the Chicago, London and Berlin.
The other three are Boston, New York and Tokyo. Dennis Kimetto of Kenya holds the marathon world record timing of 2:02:57, while Kipchoge’s 2:03:05 in London Marathon this year was the third fastest all time. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele has the second fastest time of 2:03:03.
Kipchoge, who has a personal best time of 59.25 minutes in half marathon, will lead a strong men’s elite field at Delhi Half Marathon on Sunday.
Other top runners include Yigrem Demelash (59.49) of Ethiopia, Gladwin Mzazi (61.12) and rising Tanzanian runner Alphonce Sambu (62.58) who was placed fifth at the Rio Olympics marathon.
Among the elite women’s field, reigning world half marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya will be the hot favourite to win the race. Other top competitors include Worknesh Degefa of Ethiopia and Gladys Chesir, who was third here last year.
The starting line-up on Sunday will be one of the best so far at Delhi Half Marathon with 13 athletes who competed at Rio Olympics.
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