This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On the eve of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Eliud Kipchoge expressed his confidence in his ability to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon, a feat he believes will change a generation.
Speaking at a press conference in Vienna, Austria, on October 10, 2019, Kipchoge, 34, said he was feeling well and had been training on the course, which he described as 'extremely good.'
"I am feeling well. I have been on the course, which is extremely good. I am waiting for Saturday," Kipchoge said.
When asked about the difference between running in Berlin and Vienna, Kipchoge noted that while Berlin is about breaking a world record, Vienna is about making history.
"Vienna is a sporting city. All the crowd loves sport in Vienna. The course is flat, it’s fast. It’s in a park where we’re in a natural environment. It’s great to be here," Kipchoge said.
Regarding the prize money, Kipchoge jokingly said, "But you can give me something if you have a prize fund," leaving the room in stitches.
When asked about his main focus, Kipchoge replied that it was on Saturday's race and that thoughts of trying the sub two-hour marathon on a normal course had not crossed his mind.
On May 6, 2017, Kipchoge made his first attempt at the sub two-hour marathon during the Monza Nike Breaking2 in Monza, Italy, but came short by 26 seconds, clocking 2:00:25.
