In the world of long-distance running, Eliud Kipchoge is considered one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, having won multiple major marathons and set a world record for the fastest marathon time ever recorded.
However, behind Kipchoge’s success is a dedicated team, and support staff who have worked tirelessly to help him reach the pinnacle of his sport.
In this article, WoK takes a closer look at the team behind marathoner and the role each member plays in helping him achieve his goals.
Patrick Sang – Coach
Patrick Sang has worked with Kipchoge for the last 22 years.
He is a former 300-meters steeplechase runner having won a gold medal at the 1987 All-Africa Games held in Kenya.
He also bagged silver medals in the 1991 World Championships in Athletics, 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics and the 1993 World Championships in Athletics.
The two met when Kichoge was just 16, and he would approach the coach for training programs.
After realizing the marathoner’s passion towards the sport, he gave him a two-week training program, and started training him in 1997.
“What has happened between the two of us is that we’ve developed an element of serious trust to the point whereby he knows I’m there for the development of his career and holistically as a person
“… there is no day Eliud has asked me anything about training. He’s given me that trust and it’s a big mandate. In itself, it’s a challenge because you have to think and go the extra mile not to disappoint,” Sang said.
Their partnership has seen Kipchoge win three Olympics medals, 10 major marathon races and two podium finishes at World Championships.
Sang is also runs a training camp in Kaptagat, UasinGishu County where he trains Kipchoge among other local athletes.
Valentijn Trouw – Manager
Valentijn Trouw has worked with Kipchoge for the last 16 years as his manager.
He is responsible for leading the performance team that ensures that the marathon runner is fit and healthy.
He is also fond of cycling alongside Kipchoge in races to make sure that he runs with the set split times.
Trouw works under Global Sport Communicatio, the parent company of NN Running Team.
Peter Nduhiu – Physiotherapist
Peter Nduhiu is Kipchoge’s physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy is an important part of a marathon runner’s training as it helps in injury prevention, performance enhancement and pain management.
According to Olympics.com, Nduhiu first worked witj Kichoge in 2003 at the World Championships in Paris.
“My role in the sporting life of Eliud is to make sure that I minimise the risk of injury, put in place programs, and systems that are able to minimise the risk of injury
“I give it to him, if you tell him what to do, he will do exactly how you’ve prescribed it. He will take care of himself and if he feels something he will say,” he explained his role.
Other than working with Kipchoge, he also accompanies national teams and individuals high-flying athletes to various events across the world.
Armand Bettonviel – Nutritionist
A nutritionist can help a runner develop a personalized nutrition plan that takes into account their unique needs and goals.
This plan can help ensure that the runner is consuming enough calories to fuel their training and racing.
Armand Bettonviel is a common name in the world of sports having been involved in several medal winning campaigns.
His is known to be behind a drinking plan for Kipchoge for his iconic two-hour run in Vienna.
Claus-Henning Schulke – Bootle man
Claus-Henning Schulke is a triathlete and he has been a volunteer at the Berlin Marathon for more than 25 years.
He has been involved in Kipchoge’s world record races having first met in 2018 ahead of his 2:01.39 world record win.
“We met in 2018 at the lobby of the hotel and trained the passing of the water bottle with a flower vase. The day after the race, Eliud’s management called me and told me to go to the hotel
“There his coach, Patrick Sang, came to me and said, ‘you have been so enthusiastic, and you have really been a part of this world record’. At that moment, I recognised for the first time what my role was in this game.”
Schulke made headlines recently when he was captured in a viral video personally handing over water bottles to the marathoner.
In a past interview, Kipchoge recognized Schulke and described him as his hero.
“My biggest remembrance of Berlin was the guy who was handing me water. He is still my hero up to now. The way he was handling water and acting and talking was unbelievable
