Sky is the limit for soaring Kipchoge, Vivian

If the just concluded London Marathon is anything to go by, It seems we haven’t seen the last of Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot.

But first things first, and I guess congratulations are in order for the two top class athletes.

While I expected Kipchoge to still dominate the men’s event despite star-studded opposition, Cheruiyot’s feat in the women’s race came as a total surprise to me.

Not because I thought she didn’t have the potential but because of the line-up she was pitted against.

Kenya’s Mary Keitany had a mission from the word go and she didn’t waste time in showing the world what she had up her sleeves.

She hit the front almost immediately and Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba tagged along. Cheruiyot at that moment was a distant third—running what she later described as “Her own race”.

SEARING PACE

Dibaba was the first to drop out, owing to Keitany’s searing pace and before long, the Kenyan became a victim of her own speed — forcing her to slow down.

It was at this point that Cheruiyot zoomed past and went on to carry the day. I call this “Brilliant” because you can imagine what would have happened to Cheruiyot if she decided to engage the two with her short experience on the roads.

I personally think that the transition Kipchoge and Cheruiyot have had from track to the roads has contributed to their success with patience as one of their main virtues.

The discipline they have exhibited in their training is also one of the reasons they win easy. The two are no doubt world record material and I can confidently predict the current records will not survive for long. World record holders — Dennis Kimetto (men) and Briton Paula Radcliffe (women) should enjoy while it lasts because the writing is already on the wall.

A MATTER OF TIME

Cheruiyot, especially, is not joking and having run a personal best of 2:18.31, makes her a strong candidate for a world record.

For Kipchoge, It is just a matter of time considering he holds the third fastest time in marathon.

All the two need is a good plan ahead of their respective world record mission. The fact that the two are also looking at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games means that they have good plans.

But all said and done, my heart goes out to Keitany who is an equally fantastic athlete. In London, she did not really fail to achieve her mission but instead her mathematics didn’t work out.

This doesn’t mean she can not relaunch herself. I know Keitany is a tenacious women and she will definitely be back with a bang.

The fact that she still went on to finish the race despite her mishaps speaks a lot about her resilience. I know she will be back and I will be watching.

Bravo too Brigid Kosgei who placed second in the women’s race.