On April 18th 2021, fifty elite athletes run the NN Mission Marathon at Twente Airport in Enschede, The Netherlands, in order to qualify for the Olympic Marathon in Japan. All eyes are on Eliud Kipchoge, who broke the 2 hour marathon in Vienna in October 2019. Eliud wins the race in Enschede in 2:04:30. After his victory he holds the Peace Torch.
Samunnati Nataliya Lehonkova from the Ukraine has participated in the Peace Run in several countries around the world. She is competing in the race for her country, the Ukraine.
Samunati and Eliud together.
Eliud Kipchoge holding the torch several years ago, when he was 19 years old.
Stephen Kiprotich is an Olympian champion (2012) and a world record medallist in 2013 for the Marathon distance.
Paul Tergat, Haile Gebreselassie and Tegla Loroupe promoting the Peace Run a few years ago. When Stephen Kiprotich was shown this picture he remarked: “These are my people!”
Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Peace Run with Paul Tergat in New York in 2005, 4 days before Paul won the NYC marathon.
Several friends from Germany and the Netherlands have come to cheer on Samunati. Unfortunately, in her attempt to break her own PB, Samunati has to pull out of the race.
The Kenyan team hold the Peace Torch. The Kenyan team include Gladys Chesi, Jonathan Korir, Laban Korir, Gideon Kipketer, Philemon Kacheran, Alex Kibarus, Mathew Sang Kibiwott, Philemon Rono, Patrick Sang (coach) and Josphat Boit.
Clara Pedersen interviews Eliud Kipchoge and the Peace Runners
Clara holding the Peace Torch. Clara looks after the Ugandan team, cooking for them and coordinating many other details. She invites the Ugandan team to come and hold the torch.
The Ugandan team and friends. Clara Pedersen and Eddyne Ntavyo with Stephen Kiprotich, Felix Chemonges, Geoffrey Kusuro, Victor Kiplangat, Jackson Kiprop and Bernard Cheptoch.
The Peace runners sing Sri Chinmoy's Peace Run song for the runners.
The Kenyan team. On the left is their physio, Peter Nduhiu. Second from left is the coach, Patrick Sang.
Felix Chemonges
