Kenya’s Kipchoge gearing for marathon under two hours in Italy

Nairobi, April 12: Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya is gearing up to his biggest test when he attempts to break the sub-two hours marathon run in a special course in Monza, Italy, in May.

The event, dubbed Nike's Breaking2 project, will feature star runners Kipchoge, Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea and Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia and will be held tentatively on any of the three days of the first weekend of May to ensure athletes compete in ideal weather conditions, reports Xinhua news agency.

The attempt will take place at the Formula One track in Monza, with May 6 as the first choice and May 7 and 8 as back-up dates.

Nike announced on Tuesday the race window for its special sub-2-hour marathon attempt. The course on which the race will be staged, Autodromo Nazionale Monza, usually hosts the Italian Grand Prix every September.

"Nike chose to announce a target 'race window' weekend rather than a specific date. The race is closed to the public but will be live streamed," said Nike media statement.

The course will be ratified by the IAAF, track and field's international governing body, but the attempt will not be for an officially sanctioned world record, according to the Guardian, citing a Nike spokesperson.