Kipchoge focuses on running a sub-2 hour marathon

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge's agent said his client's hardest task will be to get to the start line in Vienna for his ambitious INEOS 1:59 Challenge in October without injury or illness.

Valentijn Trouw believes the main aim for the team preparing Kipchoge will be to protect and restrain the London and Berlin marathon champion against unnecessary injuries prior to the race.

"If we can get Eliud to the start line without any injury or illness then we are almost there," said Trouw on Friday evening in a statement.

Kipchoge, who is the world marathon record holder having run 2:01:39 in Berlin in 2018, will make a second attempt to become the first human being to run the 42.195km race in under two hours.

His first attempt in Monza, Italy in 2017 ended in a 2:00:25 run, and now Kipchoge is ready to pick up the gauntlet in the Austrian capital on October 12.

"Breaking two hours really is an epic challenge. Eliud has thought and dreamed about doing it for years and years. His favorite phrase is "No Human is Limited", meaning that everyone can achieve more than what they think is possible. For Eliud, this is his chance to inspire people to do great things, even beyond sport, to challenge themselves in a way they may never have dared," said Trouw.

Kipchoge has meticulously planned his progress over the next 12 to 18 months.

"After discussions with Eliud, it is clear his heart is set on running a marathon in under two hours," his agent added.

"We spoke about Eliud's goals at the Olympics in Tokyo next year and the preparations towards that, and how a sub-2 challenge could fit into his training and racing. With a very limited window to bring a sub-2 marathon challenge to life for Eliud, the timing is just right."

Trouw said his main challenge is to keep Eliud fit and healthy until the event.

"The key to this is prevention rather than cure. We need to act on any small problems before they become big problems. This is where we need to be really sharp," said Trouw.

"He will be nervous leading up to the event. But with the preparation he has done in the lead-up to the challenge and by realizing he has given his all to prepare to the best of his ability, Eliud will be able to control his nerves."