Congratulations are in order for the marathon super star Eliud Kipchoge.
Even without breaking his own record, the two-time Olympic champion was in a class of his own in Berlin as he led Kenya’s 1-2 finish.
He strolled to his fifth Berlin title in a time of 2:02:42 with compatriot Vincent Kipkemoi second in 2:03.13.
Extraordinary Kipchoge becomes the first man to win Berlin a record five times.
He won in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 while setting a world record in 2018 and breaking his own record again in 2022.
His victory almost guarantees his 2024 Paris Olympics slot, where he could become the first athlete to win three Olympic marathons.
In the women’s race, our very own Sheila Chepkirui came in second in a time of 2:17.49 behind the winner Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who won the race in a world record time of 2:11:53.
In brief, Kenyans won three out of six podium positions and this is no mean achievement.
We must start honouring world marathon majors and drop the dubious excuse that they don’t run for Kenya. Marathoners are some of our best ambassadors taking into account races are spread all around the world.
Whatever other athletes receive in awards schemes should be extended to our best runners in major marathon races.
They must be considered for presidential awards because they hoist the Kenyan flag high and the attention and publicity around the big international meets beamed around the world works magic in our favour.
Quote of the Day: "There comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness."
Wangari Maathai
The environment activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate died on September 25, 2011.
