Isuzu To Produce 159 Special Pickups In Honor Of Eliud Kipchoge

Following Eliud Kipchoge’s record-breaking victory at the recent 2022 Berlin Marathon, Isuzu EA has honored the greatest marathoner of our times by unveiling a new pickup model, the Eliud Kipchoge 1:59 Limited Special D-Max Edition.

The company made the announcement at a welcome breakfast event held at the Isuzu East Africa Assembly Plant to celebrate the new Marathon World Record of 02:01:09 hrs set on 25^th September 2022 by the two-time Olympic Gold Medallist.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa Rita Kavashe, said, “Today, we celebrate Eliud Kipchoge’s victory in Berlin, for being our friend, and for being a global role model to different generations of people. We are delighted to announce that over the next few months, Isuzu East Africa will introduce to the market an Eliud Kipchoge 1:59 Limited Special D-Max Edition. To honor Eliud’s vision of running a sub-two marathon in a competition, this special edition pickup will have 159 units to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.”

The Isuzu EA Managing Director further explained that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the new model pickups will go to the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation to support sports talent development around the country.

Isuzu EA has had a strong relationship with Eliud Kipchoge since 2017 when the marathon legend became the Isuzu D-Max brand ambassador. Four years ago, Eliud set the world record at the 2018 Berlin Marathon. Isuzu EA then gifted him a brand-new Isuzu D-Max double cab pickup for the achievement. A year later, Eliud once again thrilled the world by running a marathon in under two hours at the 2019 INEOS 1:59 challenge. Isuzu EA afterward gifted him an Isuzu D-Max single cab pickup for the accomplishment.

The company has been working with the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation to uplift the well-being of the community through access to Education, Sports Talent Development, and Environmental Conservation.

Speaking on their long-standing partnership, Isuzu EA reported that they adopted the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM section) in the newly launched Eliud Kipchoge Library in Nandi County. In collaboration with Longhorn Publishers, Isuzu EA stocked the STEM section with books valued at Ksh 1 million.

Being the brand ambassador for the Isuzu D-max pickup, Eliud enjoys the use of a fully serviced luxury automatic Isuzu D-Max pickup. In addition, he has two other pickups that he was awarded for the 2018 Berlin Marathon world record win and for running under 2-hours at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria in 2019. In November 2021, Isuzu Motors, Japan also honored Eliud Kipchoge with one of Japan’s most coveted and highest traditional awards, The Samurai Kabuto helmet, worn by victorious Samurai warriors, to celebrate his stellar athletics career.

Congratulating Eliud, Hiroshi Hisatomi, the Isuzu EA Board Chairman said: “We are very grateful that the partnership with Eliud has yielded remarkable milestones over the years. Unveiling the Eliud Kipchoge Special D-Max Edition is a huge undertaking by Isuzu EA to honor the outstanding accomplishments of the greatest marathoner of all time. We will work closely with Eliud to ensure that this unique vehicle meets his own standards of excellence, to delight our customers in this market and beyond.”

On his part, a joyous Eliud Kipchoge thanked Isuzu for their confidence and support in him. “I would like to appreciate Isuzu East Africa for their continued belief in me. Their support throughout our relationship has played a key role in my success. I am honored and at the same time excited by the introduction of the 1:59 D-Max pickup edition that will carry my signature,” he said.