President William Ruto led the world in paying tribute to Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge and following his impressive performance at the Berlin Marathon yesterday.
Ruto termed Kipchoge as the greatest of all time in the marathon race after his heroics in Berlin for the fourth time in his magnificent career.
“The greatest has done it again; breaking the world record! Congratulations Eliud Kipchoge for winning the Berlin Marathon for the fourth time. You are truly the King of the Marathon,” Ruto said.
Former Harambee Star’s talisman Dennis Oliech also joined in congratulating Kipchoge terming him a great patriot to the upcoming
“I join my fellow Kenyans in congratulating the best marathoner ever, son of the soil, a great patriot for breaking the world record once more. Congratulations Eliud Kipchoge,” Oliech said.
Also, to congratulate the athletes were First Lady Rachel Ruto, Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei and a horde of sports celebrities including World record holder in 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Joshua Cheptegei and footballer Victor Wanyama.
Politicians led by Raila Odinga, Martha Karua, Hassan Joho, Musalia Mudavadi, also lauded the Kenyan athletes.
A fortnight ago, Kipchoge broke his own marathon world record with Mark Korir and Rosemary Wanjiru finishing second in the men’s and women’s races respectively.
The 37-year-old legendary marathoner shaved off his own world record by a massive 30 seconds to clinch his fourth Berlin Marathon title.
Kipchoge edged out fellow country man Mark Korir, who finished second in 2:05:58 as Wanjiru ran the second-fastest women’s marathon debut in history, clocking 2:18:00 to finish second behind Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, who ran the third-fastest time in history and course record of 2:15:37.