This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On Saturday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed paid a visit to world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge at his training camp in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet.
Her visit comes barely a week after Kipchoge received blessings from Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei ahead of his sub two-hour run in Vienna, Austria next month.
Kipchoge, who has been training under the Global Sports Communication stable at Kaptagat, is on a mission next month where he will be attempting to break the 1:59 mark in a project dubbed 'INEOS 1:59 Challenge'.
During her visit, Amina was taken round the small camp where tens of athletes reside and visited the library where there is a portrait of Sandy Bodecker with his writings 'I'm a dreamer... and I work with dreamers in an environment that encourages innovation and challenges norms daily,'
Amina expressed her admiration for Kipchoge's dedication to his craft, saying, "When I was told Kipchoge wakes up at 4 am to start training, I also decided to take an early flight to be in the camp on time to offer my support to Kipchoge as he finalizes his training towards the 'INEOS 1:59 Challenge' next month. I am his fan and I like how he has been winning races. I was in London in April and I saw him win after a tough battle with the Ethiopians which showed how he is focused on making Kenya proud,"
She also hinted that President Uhuru Kenyatta will flag off Kipchoge when he leaves for the daring attempt, saying, "President Uhuru Kenyatta is aware I am in Kaptagat and I want to convey his message that he is wishing him well ahead of the tough challenge,"
Amina also promised to work on the track at the camp which athletes have been using for training but is in poor condition.
Kipchoge expressed his gratitude to Amina for her visit, saying, "I'm focused and I'm almost done with preparations and for the race. I know we are going to achieve what we are going there to do. I have a great team that is behind me and I know we shall come back home smiling after raising the bar. I want to thank the CS who has taken time to visit the camp and see where we train,"
He later handed the CS a 43-page booklet containing details of his journey towards setting the new marathon record of 2:01:39 in Berlin Marathon last year.
