This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta praised Eliud Kipchoge for making history as the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, during the INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna.
President Kenyatta had earlier called Kipchoge on Friday to wish him success, saying, 'I am feeling confident, you are in our prayers… we are praying for you that you will be successful but for us it is not the success it is the effort that you put in….. Remember you have 46 million of us behind you. Nitakupigia ukimaliza,'
On Saturday, the Head of State congratulated Kipchoge again, saying, 'Hearty congratulations Eliud. You’ve done it my brother, you’ve made history and made Kenya super proud while at it. Your win today, against all odds, will inspire tens of future generations to dream big and to aspire for greatness. We celebrate you and wish you God’s blessings.'
Deputy President William Ruto also congratulated Kipchoge, saying, 'Your supreme tempo, fatigue-resistance, endurance, compulsion, mental strength, resolve, and tenacity are a manifestation there are no limits when you believe in yourself; undoubtedly the landmark triumph cements Kenya’s position in the globe as an athletics powerhouse.'
Kipchoge ran a staggering 1:59:40, shattering the mythical sub-two marathon barrier as he completed the INEOS Challenge in majestic fashion on the streets of Vienna.
