2023 Berlin Marathon - Eliud Kipchoge: 'I am nervous but ready for the big task’
The double Olympic gold medallist will race in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday 24 September with coverage live on Olympics.com (territorial restrictions may apply).
Athletics
Just two days before his sixth Berlin Marathon race, Eliud Kipchoge’s usually calm face betrayed a hint of excitement.
He admitted to feeling ‘nervous’, yet this confession was tinged with an indescribable confidence.
This same aura was discernible before the 2018 Berlin Marathon, where he set a world record of 2:01:3, and a year later again before his sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna.
Similarly, the same unspoken confidence reappared prior to last year's race, where he surpassed his own world record by 30 seconds, finishing in an astonishing time of 2:01:09.
As he stood before the media on Friday (22 September) in the German capital, Kipchoge refrained from discussing his race strategy. The marathon king rarely does. Nevertheless, there was a palpable yearning to achieve another first in his illustrious marathon career.
“I am nervous,” the Olympic champion confessed. “But the nervousness shows I am ready for the big task on Sunday….”
Kipchoge promises another 'beautiful race' in his sixth race in Berlin
15 victories in 18 starts: This remarkable feat includes securing two world records and claiming Olympic gold in both Rio 2016 and the Tokyo Olympics.
However, Kipchoge remains acutely aware that in sports, ‘you are only ever as good as your last race’. Following a performance in Boston last April that was less than convincing, Kipchoge is eager to demonstrate his prowess on a course he knows all too well. This race holds particular significance as he gears up for Paris 2024, where he seeks an unprecedented third Olympic Marathon gold.
During Friday’s press conference, the Kenyan legend tactfully evaded discussions about his race strategy, opting instead to promise “a beautiful race because the weather will be good.”
The race is anticipated to take place under optimal circumstances, with minimal wind and a pleasant 11-degree Celsius temperature (51.8 F).
In 2022, the 38-year-old crossed the halfway point in an astonishing 59:51, marking the fastest split in marathon history.
Will the 21km split face a challenge again this year in Berlin? Kipchoge responded with a radiant smile: “Who knows what will happen during the race.”
Then he added: “2023 is a different game all together. We are approaching it in a different way, but when you are in the race, anything might happen. We follow what’s in our hands.”
His compatriot Amos Kipruto, the second-fastest man in the field, was more forthcoming about his plans after facing a setback at the London Marathon last April.
“Losing London it disturbed me, but I never lost hope, and I am here to fight for the best. On Sunday I will be competing for my personal best, I am racing against my time. If I can achieve that, I will be happy,” said Kipruto, who's looking to beat the 2:03.13 he achieved as the runner-up behind Kipchoge at last year’s Tokyo Marathon.
Kipruto, 31, is also no stranger to the Berlin course; he was the runner-up in 2018, when Kipchoge first broke the world record.
The double Olympic champion will be lining up for the sixth time near the Brandenburg Gates, where - except for his 2013-second place finish - he has remained undefeated.
To celebrate his return to Berlin, a unique piece of street art was unveiled on Thursday at theclubhouse of Berlin-based running club Berlin Braves.
The artwork, created by the Dutch artist collective Kamp Seerdorf, depicts the marathon world record-holder in full stride.