Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has admitted that he misses racing as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to confine thousands, including the Olympic champion, at their homes.
Kenya is among the many countries worldwide where no sporting activities are currently taking place as it tries to curb the spread of the virus.
With all athletics camps temporarily closed in the East African nation, Kipchoge has been forced to depend on personal training to keep fit but with no clear roadmap on when exactly activities will resume or when he will race again.
The last time the reigning World marathon record holder took to the roads was in October 2019 in Vienna during the famous INEOS Challenge where he set another record as the first human being to have completed a full marathon in under two hours when he stopped the timers in 1:59.40)
“I am looking forward to racing again …to share the starting line with thousands of runners and run as fast as I can,” Kipchoge said on a Twitter post.
Kipchoge who was denied the chance to defend the London Marathon last April by the novel coronavirus is however upbeat that the world will come out victorious against the disease that has so far affected over 600 people in Kenya.
“But the health of the world is always top priority, so if we come together and follow the directives we can beat this pandemic.”
According to the latest athletics calendar, the season is expected to resume in August though Kipchoge may have to wait until October to take part in any competitive race following the postponement of the 2020 London Virgin Money Marathon.
Kipchoge is also expected to lead a strong Team Kenya marathon to the 2021 Summer Olympic in Beijing, China in July.
