London Marathon organisers sent an Oryx Jet executive travels chartered Boeing 737-500 to shuttle Kenyan elite athletes to London among then world marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge.
The chartered jet that left Eldoret in Kenya at 8:15 pm with several other elite Kenyan athletes made a stop in Ethiopia where it picked another group of elite Ethiopian athletes before making way to Stanstead Airport in London.
Brigid Kosgei tagged alongside Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, all of whom are defending champions.
According to the jet’s itinerary, it would make a stop in Athens, Greece for refuelling before proceeding to London.
This is one of the most luxurious flights in the world for the athletes. The jet has a 56-seater capacity and boasts of world-class standards.
Captain Julian Mogg in an interview with Nation said that he is delighted to fly the team of elite athletes together with their pacemakers to London to make history once again.
“I’m happy because I will be able to see them during the flight. This (London Marathon) is a much-awaited race worldwide and if I will be free on that day, I will be happy to watch them compete. I’m also happy I will be able to meet both Kipchoge and Bekele,” said Mogg.
Kipchoge and team had been camping at the luxurious Boma Inn in Eldoret for six days ahead of the scheduled travel.
They were seen off by Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, Chief Administrative Secretary for Sports Hassan Noor Hassan and Central Rift Athletics Kenya chairman Abraham Mutai.
Tuwei was optimistic that the athletic champions will do well in London.
“It’s an honour for you as athletes to be sent a plane by the race organisers and we know as a federation you have trained well despite the coronavirus challenge. We wish you well and we know you are going to defend your titles,” said Tuwei.
