Eliud Kipchoge nominated as fitness influencer, netizens unpleased

A section of netizens have expressed their displeasure after legendary marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge was named nominated as

'fitness influencer' alongside other Kenyan personalities in the upcoming Africa Digital Influencer Awards (ADIA).

Mitchelle Adagala, Shiverenje Simani, Tallia Oyando, and Everlyn Okinyi are in the same category as Kipchoge because of their predominant online presence and popularity on the same. 

The displeased netizens argue Kipchoge is too big for a tag such as "digital influencer" since he holds the marathon world record for a run during competition: (a blistering time of 2:01:39, set at the 2018 Berlin marathon). 

One of such netizens was identified on Twitter as @MarigaThoithi asserted that the celebrated marathoner should not be included in such a list.

He tweeted, "Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner of all time. He's a living legend. Please don't try and fit him into the limited social media categorisations that is being an influencer." 

 @k_marilyne on Twitter seconded the opinion and wrote, "The audacity to place @EliudKipchoge in this category. The GOAT cannot be compared to digital influencers...no offense, but he is on a league of his own! Put some respect to the name!" 

On September 16, 2018, at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, Kipchoge set a record time of 2:01:39 in the 42 km marathon. 

He is a renowned world record holder. He participated in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria, in October 2019, clocking a record time of 1:59:40.

Although the record was unofficial, the INEOS 1:59 Challenge placed him in the Guinness World Records with the titles' Fastest marathon distance (male)' and 'First marathon distance run under two hours.