byLarry EderEliud Kipchoge won the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon in 2:04:17, in the hottest race in London’s 38 year history! But, truth is, I am not sure that anyone can beat Eliud Kipchoge over 42.2 kilometers. They can try.
Eliud Kipchoge wins 38th London marathon, photo from Virgin Money London Marathon Media
Eliud Kipchoge, is the finest marathon racer of this or any other generation. The 2003 World champion at 5000 meters, at the meek age of 18, at thirty-three, the confident Kenyan has no fears that are tangible.
The pace in London this year was way to hot, with the half marathon pace at 61 minutes, near suicide. Watching the race, KIpchoge had this Kenyan version of the zen master thing going: no emotions on the face, relaxed, but deep in concentration. Truth is this: Kipchoge had done workouts much harder that the race. Don’t believe me? Consider a 40 kilometer temp run. Paul Sang, Kipchoge’s running coach and life coach, has prepared Eliud for everything.
Kipchoge knows that he can win off any pace. In that way he reminds me of Steve Ovett in 1978-79. Ovett could win off any pace, and Kipchoge can do that, except over 42.2 kilometers.
This race had some challenges. The heat was really the biggest competition. Eliud Kipchoge used a similar tactic to what he used on Guye Adole in Berlin in September 2017. Guye had a bad day, by the half marathon, he was two minutes back and at the finish, Adole ran 2:32:05 for 17th place.
Tola Shura Kitata, a 21 year old Ethiopian, and winner of the 2017 Frankfurt marathon was on Kipchoges’shoulder and did not move away. Kipchoge was not worried, well, at least he did not show any worry. Mo Farah took third, setting a British record, finally getting Steve Jones 34 year old record (we love Steve Jones, just so you know). Mo was one hurting puppy over those last three miles. Respect.
Tola Kitata, Eliud Kipchoge, Mo Farah, 2018 elite men, London top 3, photo by VMLM Media
Eliud Kipchoge has speed and endurance. In the heat of competition, and the heat in London, Kipchoge broke Kitata with surgical precision. It all began around 38 kilometers and by 40 kilometers, the party was over. At 40 kilometers, Kipchoge had 11 seconds, after a 4:47 mile, and by the finish, 32 seconds. Kitata was rewarded with a one minute PB.
Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe, perhaps the finest TV commentating crew in global road running, were besides themselves on how to describe Eliud Kipchoge. Paula referred to the marathon deity as the zen master of the marathon. Steve Cram suggested he might be the greatest marathoner ever.
This writer thinks that Eliud Kipchoge transcends the marathon. He can recognize the high quality in his competition without worrying himself. That appreciation of the competition, without coloring one’s response allows Kipchoge to race anyone anywhere anytime. In 2018 Virgin Money London he ran a pace, that was ill advised for any other human on the planet. Eliut Kipchoge ran a beautiful race. His 2:04:17 in London’s awful conditions was like Monet painting water lilies.
One ends this piece with another example of Kipchoge’s focus. He was asked last week if he would have won in Boston with the bad condtions. Eliud thought for a moment, and replied, “But, I was not there.” No useless energy in speculation. Running 4:46 mile pace for 26 miles is hard enough.
