NN Running Team highlights 2017

Published 04 Apr 2022

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the NN Running Team each day this week we will bring you five highlights from each of the five years of the team’s barrier-breaking existence. First up is the inaugural year of 2017.

Geoffrey claims historic win.

Geoffrey Kirui kick-started the NN Running Team juggernaut by securing a maiden Marathon Major victory on the streets of Boston a little under two weeks after the launch of the team.

Competing in only his third marathon, the Kenyan athlete made his decisive move in the final 5km to pull clear of 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Galen Rupp and on the race win in 2:09:37.

"To win on my debut for the NN Running Team is an amazing achievement and I think it points to the exciting future we have as a team", said Geoffrey.

Eliud produces ground-breaking performance in Monza.

Eliud Kipchoge gave a tantalisingly taste of his unique gifts by coming within 26 seconds of a sub-two-hour marathon as part of the innovative Nike Breaking 2 project.

Hosted at the Monza motorsport circuit, the race involved many months of preparation as race organisers chose a world-class group of pacemakers and the very best in shoe science and nutrition to aid three selected athletes in pursuit of history.

In a jaw-dropping demonstration of endurance excellence, Eliud completed the marathon distance in a stunning 2:00:25 – more than two-and-a-half minutes quicker than the official world record mark of Dennis Kimetto.

“This journey has been a long challenge, but I’m a happy man to run a marathon in two hours,” said Eliud. "I believe in good preparation and good planning. With that, these 25 seconds will go. I hope next time people will believe it is possible."

Geoffrey completes stellar year with world title.

Further affirmation of the strength of the NN Running Team was demonstrated by Geoffrey Kirui as he added the World Championship marathon title to his rapidly expanding CV.

Pitched in an epic battle with Tamirat Tola on the streets of London, the Kenyan kicked clear on the fourth and final loop to victory by more than a minute – clocking a time of 2:08:27

“This is the best moment of my career,” said Geoffrey. "I am so happy to win the world title."

Eliud puts on a masterclass in the rain.

Amid bouts of torrential rain on the streets of Berlin, Eliud Kipchoge outslugged Ethiopian Guye Adola to secure his second victory in the German capital.

Adola opened up a 20m lead inside the final 5km, but the brilliant Kenyan remained unflustered and gently reeled in the leader before going on to clinch another win.

“He (Adola) was a big surprise,” said Eliud. "When just the two of us were left, I had to concentrate fully on finishing. I was happy to win in these conditions."