We went to the moon and came back to earth, Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has said after the historic first sub two-hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.
In a Saturday morning race in Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge become the first man to run the 42-kilometre distance in under two hours and setting a record of 1.59.40.
Taking to social media to thank his supporters, the 'greatest marathoner of all times' described his victory as a journey to the moon and back.
"Today we went to the moon and came back to earth! I am at a loss for words for all the support I have received from all over the world," he tweeted.
"Thank you to all who gave me the opportunity. Asante," said Kipchoge who is the current marathon world record holder.
In an interview on Thursday, the athlete said he was ready to make history and create his “moon-landing” moment by conquering the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.
“Before Roger Bannister ran a sub-four-minute mile many humans believed it was not possible,” he explained.
“Last year I ran 2:01:39 (in Berlin) no human being at that time thought it was possible. When Kenenisa Bekele ran 2:01:41 (at the Berlin Marathon last month) that is a perfect illustration that no human is limited," Kipchoge added.