This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
On October 13, 2019, the town of Eldoret came alive as thousands of residents gathered to watch Eliud Kipchoge, a resident of the town, make history by becoming the first man to run a marathon under two hours in Vienna, Austria.
With giant screens set up along Uganda Highway, the town centre was filled with excitement as fans watched the historic event unfold. The Uganda Highway was closed near Zion Mall, with motorists diverted to alternative routes around the town.
Among the thousands of fans was two-time Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui, who was also the first athlete in history to run a half marathon in less than one hour in Milan in 1993. Political leaders from the region, including Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno and MPs Swarrup Mishra, Oscar Sudi, and Didmus Barasa, were also in attendance.
Major hotels and restaurants in Eldoret were packed to the rafters as fans and residents followed the Vienna action live on TV. At the Rosewood Hotel, athletes led by 2012 Berlin Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai and Africa 4 x 400m relay champion Aron Koech, watched the race together with tens of other athletes and fans.
As Kipchoge crossed the finishing line in Vienna, a mammoth crowd erupted in cheers at the junction of Uganda Highway, Eldoret-Iten road, and Oginga Odinga Street in downtown Eldoret. The celebrations of Kipchoge's historical feat reverberated around the country, from his hometown in Eldoret to Nairobi, where smaller crowds gathered below digital screens.
