Fan breaks down after surprise meeting with Eliud Kipchoge in Brazil
What began as an ordinary morning jog in Brazil quickly turned into a moment one athletics fan is unlikely to forget after she unexpectedly crossed paths with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.
The emotional encounter unfolded on a street where both were out running in opposite directions before the woman recognised the Kenyan distance-running icon.
Unable to hide her excitement, she pulled out her phone and began recording as Kipchoge approached.
Rather than simply wave and continue with his run, the Olympic marathon champion walked towards her and warmly embraced her.
The simple gesture proved too much for the visibly overwhelmed fan, who broke down in tears as she hugged the Kenyan star.
Still emotional, she reached for a pen and, struggling to find the words, softly pleaded, "Please... please," while offering her white jacket for an autograph.
In a video seen by the Star, Kipchoge calmly signed the jacket as the woman, fighting back tears, repeatedly whispered, "Thank you, Lord."
"I love you so much. I love you so much," she added in a trembling voice.
Moments later, the pair shared another hug before continuing with their morning runs, leaving behind a scene that has since resonated with many athletics fans online.
The woman was dressed in green athletic leggings, a black long-sleeved sports top and a white jacket, while Kipchoge wore a black running outfit paired with a navy blue jacket and black running shoes.
The chance meeting comes as Kipchoge is in Brazil ahead of the NB42K Porto Alegre Marathon scheduled for this weekend.
The race forms part of the Kenyan's seven-continent marathon tour, a project that has taken him across the globe as he continues inspiring runners and promoting distance running beyond competition.
Although Kipchoge has won some of the world's biggest marathons and broken records on the road, encounters such as the one in Brazil continue to demonstrate the impact he has made beyond competition.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Kipchoge has inspired millions through his achievements, humility and philosophy that "No Human Is Limited."
His career includes Olympic marathon gold medals, multiple major marathon victories and becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours under controlled conditions in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, a feat that cemented his place among the greatest athletes of all time.
