Eliud Kipchoge

It is a long time now since I started running but I still remember running up and down hills and running to school as a kid. When I was young I would run for fun and I didn’t know back then that this would be my career.

My first competition outside Kenya was at the 2002 world cross country championships in Dublin, Ireland. I finished fifth in the junior race that day but the thing I remember the most was that it was very cold.

I wake up at 5am, by 6am I’m on the way to training. I come back and relax, have lunch, take a little nap, then train again at 4pm for an evening run. Then relax, dinner and bed at 9pm until the next day."

Others will absolutely be able to break 2:00, too, as long as they believe in themselves.

My mind is always free. My mind is flexible.

I’ve always found the secret is to stay fit and treat sport as a profession. I chose sport as a passion.

I got into running when I was being mentored by my coach. I tried it and developed a passion for it.

Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.

I want to stay for a long time and leave a mark so the young generation can aspire to be at the top like me. I love the sport, and that’s what drives me."

Vienna is a city where they love sports.

One of my first races came over 10km in 2002. I won that race and it felt great. I would say that is when I first fell in love with running.

You need to go near to the people and actually sensitize them about the sport - specifically running. If athletes can go near their fans, many people would develop a love for running.