Kipchoge predicts fast London Marathon race on Sunday

Xinhua
28 Sep 2020, 17:35 GMT+10

NAIROBI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- One year since world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge ran a tantalizing INEOS 1:59 Challenge, finishing the race in 2:00:25 seconds, the Kenyan star says he expects a fast London Marathon race against his main challenger, Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele on Sunday.

On Sunday, Kipchoge led the Kenyan elite runners including world women marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei to London on private jet hired by London Marathon organizers to fly the athletes from Eldoret in northwest Kenya.

"I think the time will be fast, London is a big race and all the participants are in good shape and able to run faster times," Kipchoge, who holds the official world marathon record of 2:01:39, told Xinhua on Sunday.

"I will be competing for the first time since running under two hours at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. I'm happy to race with the dominant athletes, that is how the sport is and should be treated like that. Competition makes the sport beautiful," he added.

Given the restrictions arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the London Marathon event will be in an enclosed looped course in St James' Park, but an unbowed Kipchoge said he did not adjust his training program to meet the challenge of running in a loop course.

"It's truly my first time to race in a loop, but I have been training normally, no different at ups in my training. I trust my coach and I will put what I have been doing in that loop. Life is about making adjustments and I am ready for the loop challenge in London," said Kipchoge.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.

More Information

null in null

Africa

Section

Finn Allen ruled out of tri-series against South Africa, Zimbabwe due to injury

Wellington [New Zealand], July 9 (ANI): Ahead of the tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, New Zealand have suffered a major...

"We are thrilled, excited": Indian diaspora on PM Modi's visit to Namibia

Windhoek [Namibia], July 9 (ANI): The Indian diaspora in Namibia expressed immense excitement and anticipation as Prime Minister Narendra...

World Insights: China-Egypt practical cooperation yields fruitful outcomes

CAIRO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries, China-Egypt relations have, over the past years,...

Interview: Egypt-China cooperation a "win-win" for shared growth, says Egypt's ex-PM

The cooperation between developing countries and China cannot be underestimated, Sharaf said. If fully activated, it would create tremendous...

PM Modi arrives in Namibia for first-ever visit, to hold bilateral talks with President Nandi-Ndaitwah

Windhoek [Namibia], July 9 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, on Wednesday morning (local...

"Super Premium Frequent Flier PM is in Namibia today": Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Incharge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a fresh...

World

Section