As Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge glide through the streets in Vienna, Austria, to set a new world record by becoming the first person to cover 42km under 2hours, little attention was paid to the men who accompanied him in the historic competition.
TUKO.co.ke has unravelled the names and faces of the pacesetters who ensured Kipchoge got the necessary support to break the record.
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The team of 41 men were split into groups of runners who were placed at the end of every 9.8km to ensure Kipchoge keeps up the pace to the end.
The team was led by Kenyan born US national Bernard Lagat who was featured in both the first and last slots that propelled the world’s fastest marathoner to victory.
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The 2019 World Championships 5000m silver medallist Selemon Barega of Ethiopia was also among the star names that formed Kipchoge’s pacing squad.
Also confirmed to have helped Kipchoge were Ronald Musagala of Uganda, who is the winner of two Diamond League in 1500m races ( 2019) and Matthew Centrowitz of USA.
Centrowitz is the reigning Olympic 1500m champion.
Kenyans, Justus Kimutai, Jonathan Korir, Ronald Kwemoi, Nicholas Rotich and Alex Korio were part of the men who kept the champion on course.
Here is the full list:
