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How far is the 39-year-old from the marathon "breaking 2"? Where are his limits?

A two-time Olympic gold medalist in the men's marathon and a two-time men's marathon world record, he is known as the "king of the marathon": 39-year-old Kenyan marathon runner Erud Kipchoge. Recently, he embarked on his fourth trip to China. "News 1+1" reporter Bai Yansong interviewed Kipchoge to hear his story with Marathon.

01

"The human marathon is not far from 'Break 2'"

On October 8, 2023, Kenyan Kiptum broke the world record held by Kipchoge in the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 00 minutes and 35 seconds, which is only 36 seconds away from the dream of breaking the 2-hour mark in the marathon.

Running in less than 2 hours is probably the dream of all marathon runners. On October 12, 2019, Kipchoge ran a marathon in Vienna, Austria with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds with the help of unconventional pace and other methods, becoming the first person in human history to "break 2" in a marathon.

How far is the 39-year-old from the marathon "breaking 2"? Where are his limits?

But the race was not an official marathon, and Kipchoge was the only one person in the race. On race day, a total of 41 high-level pacemakers took turns to lead Kipchoge, and a guide car was equipped to mark the green sign on the ground to ensure that Kipchoge's pace per kilometer was stable at about 2 minutes and 50 seconds. In addition, the race track is also specially planned for Kipchoge, with a smaller slope and more straights.

How far is the 39-year-old from the marathon "breaking 2"? Where are his limits?

Although this achievement was not eventually recognized by the world record, this epoch-making marathon runner showed the world the possibility of a marathon "breaking 2".

Kipchoge said that breaking the 2-hour mark in the human marathon is an achievable goal.

Kipchoge: It's a wonderful feeling, but I don't know where the limits are, I'm still exploring and searching. I think the difference of one minute is huge, but if I can achieve this in a normal marathon, I will be even more happy, and I did it in Vienna, and it takes more training, more focus and more persistence to achieve my dreams.

02

"Perseverance" is his "marathon philosophy"

After winning the Hamburg Marathon in Germany for the first time in 2013, Kipchoge broke two more world records at the Berlin Marathon in 2018 and 2022.

How far is the 39-year-old from the marathon "breaking 2"? Where are his limits?

But the Boston Marathon in April gave Kipchoge a long-lost frustrate, and when it comes to losing the race, Kipchoge said that in running or marathon, the level of competition cannot be static. Kipchoge also shared his marathon philosophy – resilience.

Kipchoge: It means putting all the effort into the heart, running a marathon is really long, we need to spend four or five months training ourselves, focus all our minds on this one thing, many problems should be solved within ourselves.

How far is the 39-year-old from the marathon "breaking 2"? Where are his limits?

In addition, Kipchoge says this "tenacity" also manifests itself in a form of self-discipline. In addition to insisting on training, we must also "have the courage to say no" to the temptations in life. "If you can do that by saying no, you can keep going in a good way."

Kipchoge said he wants to continue competing in the Paris Olympics next year. "I want to run the marathon at next year's Paris Olympics, this is my third time at the Olympics, I want to win races, make history, and I want to carry running forward."

03

"I want to help China become a running nation"

Several tournament experiences in China have brought Kipchoge closer to China. This time in China, Kipchoge said he felt a stronger running atmosphere and enthusiasm.

Kipchoge: I think China has a culture of running, Chinese like running, and I want to be able to run with Chinese runners.

Kipchoge also said that he wants to help China become a running country, and he wants to tell everyone with actions that the real meaning of running lies in strengthening the body, strong will, unity, and bringing all Chinese together. "If more than a billion people in China could go running, people would be happier."

Source: CCTV News