We have to stay home to stay healthy – Kenyan Kipchoge

Men’s marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya says if runners can train to run 42.2km they can overcome the novel coronavirus.

“The marathon is like life, it’s difficult at times and you struggle to make it up a hill. At this time, my priority is to stay healthy. My health, the health of my family and the health of other people are what’s important,” Kipchoge told olympic.org.

“We have to stay at home to stay healthy.”

Kipchoge in addition to his 2:01:39 world record he set at the Berlin Marathon in 2018, is also the only man to have broken two hours for the 42.2km distance in an unofficial attempt in Vienna last year.

The 35-year-old would have been ready to defend his title at the London Marathon on Sunday, but instead was left wondering what might have been before all races were either suspended or cancelled.

“It’s a very hard time for athletes who are following a training program.

“We have to fully accept the change. On 26 April, come out in small numbers and imagine you’re running the London Marathon. We run to raise awareness of this coronavirus.”

The 42.2km has been moved to October 4, and Kipchoge would have been the favourite for the race.

He will, however, face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele. Kipchoge’s world record in Berlin in 2018, was nearly bettered the next year when Bekele came agonisingly close to that mark in winning the same event in Germany where he clocked 2:01:41.

Bekele also had a message of support for the public during the lockdown.

“People don’t need to train every day, just twice or three times a week until this virus is gone,” Bekele told olympic.org.

“This virus is not slowing down. This is a difficult time for the world.”

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo