On October 12, 2019, 34-year-old Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to complete a full marathon in less than 2hrs. The event, dubbed Ineos 1:59 Challenge, was his second attempt to break the 2hr barrier, the first being the Nike-sponsored Breaking2 in Monza, Italy, in which he missed the mark by just 25 seconds. By the time Eliud made his second attempt, this time in Vienna, he was already a world record holder in the Boston and London Marathon events (having also won the London Marathon a record 4 times) and a medalist in several distance-running Olympic events. Suffice it to say that in the world of distance running, Eluid had nothing more to prove. He had reached the highest of peaks in the sport, and would further cement his legacy in Japan, in 2020, when he became only the third person in history after Abebe Bikila and Weldemar Cierpinski to become a double Olympic marathon champion. His point in running a marathon in under 2 hours? To simply prove that no human is limited.
But what Eluid proved on the 12th of October 2019 when he finally broke the two-hour barrier at Vienna is that humans, when they work together, can become invincible. It was a team effort that allowed Eluid to achieve his historic feat.
Firstly, the run featured a pace car showing projected finish times and carrying a laser system that projected where the pacemakers should run. Crucially, it acted as a large barrier for reducing drag. Ineos says the electric car had been altered to make its cruise control more accurate than that of regular models.
Throughout the track, which had been specifically picked by the Ineos 1:59 team for its efficiency, Eluid was constantly fueled with unfettered access to his favorite carbohydrate-rich drink, courtesy of a cyclist who rode alongside the group, which he’d drink and toss back at his team to allow them to measure exactly how much he was drinking and if it was the required amount. Nike also made an updated version of their controversial Vaporfly shoe for the event which helped Kipchoge to run more efficiently. Every marginal gain to be had was utilized. But perhaps the most important asset of Eluid’s team was the pacemakers which featured 36 of the world’s top athletes who helped to block the wind and could consistently run the 4:34.5 per mile pace that was required to break the barrier.
At any given time throughout the race, a group of seven pacemakers were in front of Kipchoge in a V formation. Kipchoge was placed at the bottom of the formation with two pacemakers running behind him. During the run, the pacemakers worked in teams to rotate in and out of the race during each of the 9.6km laps of the course. They changed positions at the finish line on each lap. This ensured that Eluid ran with a constant supply of fresh pacemakers to challenge him. And lastly, the whole track from start to finish, unlike in his Monza attempt, was lined with fans cheering for the Kenyan and bearing witness to a historic run. At home in Kenya and around the globe, fans watched the race on their television screens further boosting the runner’s spirit.
None of this could’ve been achieved without the input and efforts of so many people working towards a common goal. Towards the last few hundred meters of the race, the last batch of pacemakers maneuvered out of Eluid’s way, leaving him to complete his historic run. In the documentary titled ‘Kipchoge’, they can be seen falling behind and celebrating as if it were them that had crushed the 2-hour barrier. They had successfully worked together towards a single mission.
It’s this alignment to a common goal and purpose that makes great teams. When goals are aligned, everyone runs at the same pace and challenges the next person to maintain that pace. But without a common goal, a team will quickly crumble like a deck of cards.
Michael Jordan knew that he had to pull his team and align them to his vision of winning championships for the Chicago Bulls organization. He was imposibly tough on his teammates, especially during practice where he’d push them as if they were in the playoffs. He even allowed his personal trainer to service his teammates during the offseason, just to ensure that they had the same physical advantage that he had. He was called a bully and probably hated by most of his teammates, but he’s always maintained that he never asked any of them to do something he wouldn’t do himself. The result: every time MJ reached the NBA finals, he brought the trophy home.
A great team with a common goal is important in all aspects of life. In a marriage, a couple must share similar values on how they are to live their lives and raise their children if that marriage is ever to work. In a business, every employee must subscribe to the company’s values and mission statement. Similarly, during a hunt, a pride of lions must work together to tackle a buffalo. Teamwork is crucial for sustained success, and building a great team is the basis for any teamwork to succeed.
An African proverb perfectly captures this concept: ‘When you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ This is what teamwork does. Investing in building a great team ensures that the load is spread across the board, leading to sustained success. Although the ineos1:59 record did not count as a new world record under IAAF rules due to the setup of the challenge (in fact, the Atlantic Magazine, in a 2019 article, called it The Greatest Fakest World Record), it still proved a fundamental truth. It showed the value of building a great team and the exceptional results which follow.