Under “laboratory conditions” Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier over the 42.195 kilometers three years ago in the Vienna Prater (1:59:40 hours), yesterday the Kenyan miracle runner almost did it in an official marathon. 2:01:09 hours were on the clock when the 37-year-old crossed the finish line in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Kipchoge thus improved his world record set at the same place in 2018 by 30 seconds. “I’m happy with my preparation and believe that I was so quick because of our teamwork,” said the always modest Kipchoge, among other things, thanking his pacemakers.
In perfect conditions – mild, cloudy, hardly any wind – this led the exceptional athlete to a great half-marathon time of 59:51 minutes. Ethiopian outsider Andamlak Belihu was the only one able to keep up with the world record pace. Shortly after the last helpers got out at around kilometer 25, Belihu also had to let Kipchoge go. It was the fourth Berlin victory for the latter, drawing level with record winner Haile Gebrselassie (2006-2009).
When asked who he would like to run with, Kipchoge had a quick answer after crossing the finish line: Barack Obama. “He’s a character of hope, of inspiration, of unity.” For Obama it doesn’t matter whether someone is red, white or black. Known as a basketball fan, 61-year-old Obama is also the son of a Kenyan father.
The women’s race was also extremely fast: winner Tigist Assefa set the third-fastest marathon time of 2:15:37 hours. Salzburg’s Peter Herzog (2:12:16) finished in 21st place.
Record hunt also in Linz
The Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon on October 23 will not be able to come up with such fast times. However, the agency commissioned with putting together the elite field was pleased with the speed that the course allows when inspecting the course. The Ukrainian Alexander Kuzin has held the course record in Linz since 2007 with a time of 2:07:33 hours. The 20th edition of the running event should not outlast this record – at least when it comes to the main sponsor. “The record has to be broken,” said Oberbank CEO Franz Gasselsberger.
Source: Nachrichten
