How Kenya celebrated Kipchoge’s historic marathon

What you need to know:

  • Kenya's vice-president William Ruto, who had made the trip to Vienna, sent out a series of tweets.
  • In Kapsisiywa, Eliud's older brother, Wilson Sugut, said the run showed what individuals could achieve.

Eliud Kipchoge's historic marathon time on Saturday was greeted with joy and pride in his native Kenya.
"I am happy today because he has won in Kenya and in the world. I thank him so much for this, for me, for Kenya and the world," said Kipchoge's mother Janet Rotich who watched in her home village Kapsisiywa as her son became the first man to run the marathon distance in less than two hours.
Kipchoge's run in Vienna was broadcast live on all Kenya's television stations.

Even so, in Eldoret, the city 40 kilometres from Kapsisiywa where the 34-year-old runner, his wife and three children live, and in Nairobi, crowds gathered in the early morning to watch the run on giant screens.

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge's mother, Janet Rotich (R) watches a television broadcast on October 12, 2019, with relatives at her home in the village of Kapsisisywa, some 30kms southwest of Eldoret, in Kenya, as they celebrate Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge victory.


In Eldoret, the fans watched in feverish excitement as their champion ticked off the kilometres and exulted when Kipchoge crossed the finish line with a clock displaying 1hr 59 min 40 sec, throwing hats and water bottles into the air.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta quickly issued his "hearty congratulations".

"You've done it, you've made history and made Kenya proud while at it. Your win today, will inspire tens of future generations to dream big and to aspire for greatness. We celebrate you and wish you God's blessings," President Kenyatta continued.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (L) celebrates after busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna.


Kenya's vice-president William Ruto, who had made the trip to Vienna, sent out a series of tweets.

"A blistering 1.59.40! Congratulations @EliudKipchoge for the historic achievement in shattering the sub-two-hour barrier for the marathon; you are arguably the greatest runner of all time."

People occupy the road and watch Kenyia's Eliud Kipchoge on a screen as he attempts to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon in Erdolet, near Kipchoge's training camp, on October 12, 2019.


Athletics, along with sevens rugby, is the most successful sport in bringing Kenyans together, regardless of their social or ethnic background.

In Kapsisiywa, Eliud's older brother, Wilson Sugut, said the run showed what individuals could achieve.
"He told the world that no human being is limited and that he will overcome this two-hour barrier," he recalled. "People couldn't believe it, but now we can believe it."

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge celebrates with his wife Grace Sugutt after Kipchoge busted the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon during the "Ineos 1:59 Challenge: Sub-Two Marathon Attempt" on October 12, 2019 in Vienna.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (R) celebrates with Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe (L) after busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (white jersey) celebrates after crossing the finish line at the end of his attempt to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12 2019 in Vienna

A fan of World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge reacts during an outdoor's television broadcast October 12, 2019 in Kenya's capital, Nairobi of Kipchoge's attempt to become the first man in history to run a sub-two hour marathon, on October 12, 2019 in Nairobi

A fan of World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge reacts during an outdoor's television broadcast October 12, 2019 in Kenya's capital, Nairobi of Kipchoge's attempt to become the first man in history to run a sub-two hour marathon, on October 12, 2019 in Nairobi

Kenyans watch a big screen on October 12, 2019, in Nairobi as they follow Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge victory race

Women react as they watch Kenyia's Eliud Kipchoge on a screen as he attempts to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon in Erdolet, near Kipchoge's training camp, on October 12, 2019