The first sub-two-hour marathon is an astonishing individual achievement, but it is also a lesson in leadership, as a distinguished African theologian explains

On 12 October, on a misty morning in a Vienna park, Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge completed a marathon in 1 hr 59 min 40.2 sec. His feat captivated the imagination of people around the world, far beyond the sporting community. Kipchoge’s time will not count as an official record because he was surrounded by a rotating flock of pacemakers guided by an electric car indicating the correct speed. Be that as it may. His triumph is epochal and has been justly compared to the first lunar landing.

It was an extraordinary individual achievement for the softly-spoken 34-year-old Kenyan. But like the moon landing it was also a victory for a large well-drilled team. In a crowded field of opportunists, manipulators and phony celebrities, Kipchoge stands out as a role model for authentic leadership. Here are four lessons I take away from his astonishing achievement.

Lesson 1: Set your sights high
Before breaking the two-hour marathon barrier, Kipchoge had already established his pedigree as an Olympic gold medal-winner and four-time winner of the London marathon. Rather than lower his guard and revel in his success, he set his sights on a new frontier.