The Challenge
To deliver exceptional hospitality in Vienna for the VVIP and VIP guests of the INEOS 159 Challenge, who were invited to support Eliud Kipchoge in his quest to become the first human being to run a sub-two-hour marathon and to change history. If not complicated enough to ensure that everything ran smoothly for the 500 guests from around the globe who descended on Vienna for that historic day, the planning and execution was made all the more complicated by having a 10 day challenge window that would only be confirmed 3 days before the actual event.
The Approach
To plan every tiny detail of this extraordinary event and to ensure the hospitality was fitting of the high-profile guests and this incredible event on the global stage. Hospitality was befitting of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS’ CEO and founder and especially of Eliud’s family travelling to see him race for the first time ever.
The Result
We delivered exceptional VVIP and VIP hospitality for this historic event in beautiful Vienna. Hosting 50 VVIPs and 450 VIPs starting with a VVIP dinner and welcome address hosted by Gabby Logan and Sir Dave Brailsford, with breakfast on the course and access to watch Eliud cross the finish line, followed by the celebration party where guests danced away the night every step of the event was beautifully executed by the Into the Blue team.
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Eliud Kipchoge at his Thursday morning press conference for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 10 October 2019. Photo: Jon Super for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Media facilities along the Prater Hauptallee for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge. 11 October 2019. Photo: Adam Warner for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. The official car at the start line in the fog prior to The INEOS 1:59 Challenge. 12 October 2019. Photo: Joe Toth for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. View of the Lusthaus along the course on the Prater Hauptallee at dawn. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge. 12 October 2019. Photo: Adam Warner for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. General view inside the hospitality marquee on the Prater Hauptallee ahead of The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Thomas Lovelock for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Supporters get ready in the pre-dawn light near the finish line to welcome Eliud Kipchoge and his pacemaking team at the Fan Zone Kaiserallee. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge. 12 October 2019. Photo: Jed Leicester for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. General view inside the hospitality marquee on the Prater Hauptallee ahead of The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Thomas Lovelock for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Supporters get ready to welcome Eliud Kipchoge and his pacemaking team at the Fan Zone Kaiserallee, Vienna. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge. 12 October 2019. Photo: Andrew Baker for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge (white top) and his pacemaking team at the start of the challenge. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Joe Toth for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. The team of pacemakers and Eliud Kipchoge (white vest) run through the gantry on the Prater Hauptallee for the first time behind the official car. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Bob Martin for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge running with his pacemaking team The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Andrew Baker for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Supporters wait near the finish line as Eliud Kipchoge approaches to break the two hour barrier for a marathon distance. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Jed Leicester for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge's wife and children watch as he runs along the Hauptallee for the final time as he approaches the finish line to break the historic two hour barrier for a marathon. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Jed Leicester for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge points to the crowd of spectators as he sprints to the finish line to complete the marathon in an official time of 01:59:40. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Jed Leicester for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Two people carry one of the No Human is Limited hoardings trough the park. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Joe Toth for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge talks to the media alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive of INEOS, in a press conference after making history by running a marathon in an official time of 01:59:40. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Jed Leicester for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
Free for editorial use and archive. Eliud Kipchoge is interviewed by the media after making history by running a marathon in 01:59:40. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Vienna, Austria. 12 October 2019. Photo: Joe Toth for The INEOS 1:59 Challenge
