The clock is ticking for the much-awaited historic moment for Olympic marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, and some interesting matter has just emerged.
He was flown to Vienna from Eldoret on Monday evening aboard a chartered flight –which sparkled reactions from across the world. Inside the sh2.4 billion worth plane, on that evening, only Eliud and two pilots could be seen from a distance before take-off.
A voice from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority wishing the World champion good-luck would later be leaked to the world the next day.
“Mr Eliud Kipchoge, on behalf of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, we would like to wish you the very best in the INEOS159 Challenge. Bring home that title. Thank you very much have a safe flight,” it was heard.
All his luggage had been packed. And he was ready to hit the road. Of course, you would think of clothes, some books, some random food maybe… But photos on the official website of Kipchoge’s sponsors INEOS-the chemical firm which has organized the under-2-hour marathon race attempt, have shown him carrying a 20-litre ‘jerrycan’ into a vehicle in readiness for the flight.
Being a man from Rift Valley, what else would you think was in the jerrycan? Mursik!
The INEOS 1:59 Challenge is expected to go down on any day between October 12 and 14. Whichever day, it shall happen between 5 am and 9 am local time which translates to 6 am and 10 am Kenyan time.
The challenge will be streamed live on YouTube and on the INEOS 1:59 Challenge website.