Athletics always knew of his talent and now the rest of the world does too as his stunning display has everyone talking
First came the regal wave. Then a triumphant squeeze of the afterboosters. As Eliud Kipchoge realised that the sub-two marathon was finally his – and that the pages of history were opening up to embrace him – his stoic race‑mask gave way to smiles, a modest thumbs up to the swelling crowds, and sheer delirium.
Kipchoge called it his “moon‑landing moment”. There are many in track and field who remain sniffy about such pronouncements, given his prototype Nike shoes rocket-boosted him to glory. He also had 41 elite pacemakers in arrow formation, subbing in and out of the race, to help him draft and protect him from the elements.