Kipchoge ran a marathon in Vienna in under two hours in 2019, but not in an official race, with the two-time Olympic champion breaking his own world record with a 2:01:09 in the Berlin Marathon
Last updated: 29/09/22 9:00 PM
Eliud Kipchoge will compete in the new TCS Mini London Marathon on Saturday, but will not compete in Sunday’s elite race
Eliud Kipchoge is capable of running a marathon of less than two hours, according to Olympic bronze medalist Bashir Abdi.
Kipchoge broke his own world record at the Berlin Marathon last Sunday and opted to run the faster course over the London version this weekend.
The Kenyan two-time Olympic champion crossed the line in two hours, one minute and nine seconds, 30 seconds faster than his previous record set four years ago in the same race.
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Eliud Kipchoge says he can still go faster after breaking his own marathon world record in Berlin by 30 seconds.
Kipchoge ran a marathon in Vienna in under two hours in 2019, but the time was not an official world record as it was not under race conditions and he was assisted by 41 pacemakers, including former Olympic and world record holders, in his bid to reach the milestone.
But Somali-born Abdi, who won bronze in Tokyo and the World Championships in July, believes Kipchoge can complete an official race in less than two hours.
“Nowadays everything Kipchoge says is happening. So if he says ‘I’m going for less than two hours’, I think it’s possible,” said Abdi, who will be competing in London on Sunday.
Eliud Kipchoge threatened a marathon under two hours during his Berlin Marathon victory
“But the question is who? I think he is able to do that, but I think the question is who can accelerate him at that pace and how much can he be helped at that pace. That’s one of the most challenging things he now faces., I think.
“But if the pacemaker was strong enough to go 10k (left in the race) at the same pace, I think this guy, it’s possible – anything is possible. So I definitely think if he had a few more years to go , then I think he has some improvement possible, yes.”
Abdi is looking forward to the atmosphere in London and believes that something “crazy” could happen after Kipchoge’s success in Germany on Sunday.
“The atmosphere in the streets of London is something you will never find in the world,” he added.
“I hope I do better, but at the same time there are seven guys who are running faster than me and I think the problem now is that this Sunday everyone is after Kipchoge and everyone is so excited that something crazy could happen, that’s it feeling I have.
“So I hope it’s going to be a really nice, steady marathon and we’re going at a really good pace and after that it’s everyone’s race.”
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