The social media was abuzz as fans and friends of Wilson Kipsang gave the former world marathon record holder praise even after drifting off from Sunday's Tokyo Marathon.
Kipsang, who ran a then 2hours 03:23 fastest time in 2013 Berlin Marathon, was forced to retire from Sunday's Tokyo Marathon due 'stomach pains'.
The Tokyo Marathon record holder (2:03:58) was lining up in the Japanese capital's race, focusing on shattering his Volare Sports stablemate Dennis Kimetto's 2:02:57 hours marathon record set in 2014 in Berlin.
He was also focusing on reaffirming his victory from 2017, where he penned a course record.
But even as Kipsang failed to live up to the billing- that of stripping Kimetto of the global honors- his fans poured appreciations and morale even as the Keiyo South born athlete promised to be back, as Arnold Swarzenegger says in his movie, 'The Terminator'.
It was, however, not an all burnt cake after Dickson Chumba won his second title race in 2:05:30, having slashed off some 12 seconds to write a new marathon personal best.
Kipsang's reaction on Twitter, explaining why he retired prematurely, said he could not run further after stomach pains became unbearable.
"I really wanted to go fast, but after suffering from stomach problems the last 2 days before the race, I didn’t have the power to run a decent race today. I’m disappointed, I was really ready for it," read Kipsang's tweet.
Uganda's World 10,000m silver medalist (London, 2017) Joshua Cheptegei was among the many who cheered up Kipsang, saying: "You will bounce back strong bro, get well soon."
Scottish former 1500metres champion Myles Edwards, who alongside Kenyan Gideon Gathimba run a changing lives organisation, the Gathimba Edwards Foundation in Kenya, was most heart-touching.
Myles said: "Kipsang is coming back stronger as a result of this setback. We believe in you," closing his tweet with an emogy of a bent arm, clenched fist and strong biceps.
Sports writer Celestine Karoney also wrote: "It is the trials that make us strong. You will bounce back."
Kipsang is an elder at his Mindililwo AIC in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.