What we saw in Berlin was spectacular. How do you feel about that?
I am glad that I was able to break the world record and improve it in a matter of seconds. It really made me happy and I am glad to be able to do so.
Breaking a world record and doing something supernatural cannot be summed up in one sentence! Tell us more about it.
I’m glad the sport is being talked about, that there’s global attention, that people are recognizing what it takes to win a marathon. More importantly, the sport of distance running has completely changed over the years. We see so many races, so many competitions and so many runners in every part of the world. That’s what you want to see and if we do well it will gain momentum. That’s why I said that I am happy with the world record because it is being talked about not only in Europe but in other parts of the world and in turn will encourage more and more people to run and compete.
Interesting you say that because it will encourage others to take up the game, what is it that gets you moving? You have been competing at the highest level for 20 years. You have won every event that has to be won. You have broken every record that has to be broken and yet you keep going. What is your inspiration?
When I see people talk about the sport and say they want to take up the sport after watching me run, that’s my motivation. Nothing can be more satisfying than when you can inspire people. Even if it is one person, I am happy and content. There is nothing better than changing life. You will have a better and healthier world if more and more people start playing this game. And if I am the catalyst who has been instrumental in bringing about that change, there can never be a greater inspiration than this. Take the Berlin Marathon for example. Once I was able to break the record, it made global news. Everyone who runs a marathon will take inspiration from it. People think they can do the same. You see the youth want to take up this sport. That’s the inspiration. This is my legacy. That I have been able to inspire many people to run and make a difference in doing so.
You have come to India as the brand ambassador of Delhi Half Marathon. What was your experience like?
I really enjoyed my time in Delhi. The people were friendly and warm. They knew and respected my achievements. He was keen to take up the sport and run. I could see that there was tremendous interest in the people. That’s what you want to see. You want to see your game spread among the masses. You want them to adopt race, it has a positive effect on society. I could see it in Delhi. There was awareness. People were curious. He wanted to get better and that made me very happy.
So, if you get an opportunity to visit India again in the near future, will you take that opportunity?
Absolutely I will. If I can come and make a difference in the game in India, I will definitely come. If more and more people start running after seeing me, then there is no better feeling than this, so I will definitely come when I get a chance.
What next for The Iliad Kipchoge? People really aren’t on top of their game until you have them. We have seen Roger Federer and Serena Williams retire after two decades at the helm. what do you say?
I need to sit down with my team and make my plan for the next year. Set my goals and targets and prepare for them. That’s what I’m going to do over the next few weeks and then set out to do my best to achieve them. I’ve always gone about things this way. Discussed with my team what we needed to do and then went about trying our best to meet our goals.
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