Two-time Berlin Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge’s spouse Grace Sugut led other athletes and fans in Eldoret to celebrations in Eldoret following yesterday’s race.
Kipchoge clocked 2:03.32 for victory after a tough battle with Guye Adola of Ethiopia in the last 10km.
Speaking during the Viewerthon organised by the Bank of Africa in Eldoret, Sugut said: “He has really tried running under such humid conditions. Before he went to Berlin, he had told us that he was going to do his best to break the record. However, we are very happy for the performance despite missing the record.”
Two-time world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat said it was impossible to break due to the downpour experienced before and during the race, rendering the course damp.
“The weather was cold and that is why it was very hard to break the record. Though they ran within record breaking pace for the better part of the race, it proved that the wind was heavy,” said Kiplagat, who is preparing for New York Marathon.
Other athletes converged at Shakers Restaurant to follow the action live on TV.
Other notable athletes present were Brimin Kipruto, Geoffrey Kamworor and Moses Tanui
“This is an athletic town and we had prepared well mounting big screens to accommodate the huge number of athletic fans,” said John Gitari.
He said sports tourism will revolutionise the region’s economy.
