The breaking 2 program inspired many in 2017, with Eliud Kipchoge going oh so close, 2:00.28. Coming back and running a 2:01:38 inspired Eliud, and with INEOS CEO Tom Ratcliffe, a major athletics enthusiast, a friendship was born.
Of course, they wanted to do it in London, but that was not to be. The goal was a sub 2 hour performance, so they went to Central Europe. Vienna was settled on. According to our sources, over $20 million was spent on logistics, promotions and media support.
Eliud Kipchoge, going sub 2 hours, photo by NN Running team
The finest athletics in the world assisted, and Eliud delivered in 1:59.40.2. The pictures and video tell it all. Herer’s our podcast (thanks Mike Deering) on INEOS 159.
Now, we invite Sir Tom Ratcliffe to become a global sponsor of athletics and see the goodwill he can develop with global athletics!
Oh, Eliud Kipchoge, want to see you in a big race with Kenenisa Bekele!
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.
Eliud Kipchoge, going sub 2 hours, photo by NN Running team
