Speaking to KTN, on Wednesday, October 16, residents of Eldoret voiced their displeasure with the manner in which World Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge came home after his historic achievement.
The marathon legend quietly jetted back into the country on the morning of Wednesday, October 16, at around 6:18 a.m. without the pomp and glamour that he left with for Vienna, Austria on Monday, October 7.
Kipchoge made history on Saturday, October 12, when he became the first man to run a 42km marathon under two hours as Kenyans and the world alike celebrated the track legend for his achievements.
His return, however, elicited mixed reactions from the people of Eldoret.
Kipchoge resides in Eldoret with his family and for the residents, seeing Eliud set history was huge but getting to celebrate his heroics with him would have meant a great deal.
Speaking to KTN, one of his supporters confessed he would have liked to shed off the adrenaline in his system by doing a few victory laps with Kipchoge. He reiterated that getting to celebrate with Kipchoge was their way of expressing their love for him.
“We supported him during the INEOS 1:59 challenge and it just right that we see him,” one Eldoret resident demanded. “It is our right to celebrate with him,” added another
Another supporter faulted the government for not organizing a state welcome for the track legend. He reiterated that the people of Eldoret would have loved to have a traditional ceremony for Eliud and went on to term the manner of his arrival "unacceptable".
Although a majority of them felt ‘betrayed’, one man swam against the tide saying Kipchoge needed to be given time to rest and enjoy his victory with his family.
Eldoret is famed for being the home of many world-class athletes and residents are accustomed to mass celebrations of their heroes.
"Sinendet", an ornament made from a local plant, goes around the neck and a gourd of traditional sour milk, "mursik", is the mark of any celebration in the area and a symbol of contentment.
