Claus-Henning: Bike hero who fuelled Kipchoge to victory
Claus-Henning Schulke was a champion to many watching the Berlin Marathon on TV or monitoring social media during Eliud Kipchoge’s 2:01:39 marathon world record on Sunday. The 56-year-old amateur triathlete was amped up whenever
When Kipchoge arrived at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Tuesday last week, Schulke surprised him and they discussed their bottle-passing strategy for the Sunday race. Schulke’s technique was to wear a Kipchoge nameplate on his forearm, letting him know that he has his bottle, so Kipchoge does not have to break stride or lose focus.
Schulke is a 56-year-old amateur triathlete who works as a project manager. He’s been volunteering at the Berlin Marathon since 1998, and is now the senior member of the 30-person crew in charge of getting the elite athletes their drinks during the race. Meanwhile, President William Ruto led the world in paying tribute to Kipchoge following his impressive performance at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
Ruto termed Kipchoge as the greatest of all time in the marathon race after his heroics in Berlin for the fourth time in his magnificent career.
“The greatest has done it again; breaking the world record! Congratulations Eliud Kipchoge for winning the Berlin Marathon for the fourth time. You are truly the King of the Marathon,” Ruto said.
Politicians led by Raila Odinga, Martha Karua,Hassan Joho, Musalia Mudavadi, also lauded the Kenyan athletes.
