Kipchoge Didn’t Start Training Until He Was 16
Kipchoge had a rather informal introduction to long-distance running. It began with him running two miles to school every day because that was his only means of transportation. It wasn’t until he was in his mid-teens when high-profile coach Patrick Sang took him under his wing. Sang, who is also a Talai, began giving training programs shortly after being introduced to Kipchoge. He truly grabbed Sang’s attention after winning a regional race.
According to a New York Times article, he told the young runner “your mother was my kindergarten teacher,” after asking for his name.
It would be the beginning of one of the most successful coach-athlete relationships in modern sports. Sang would coach Kipchoge to championships worldwide. The former Olympic silver medalist and University of Texas alum remains Kipchoge’s coach and mentor.
