NAIROBI, Kenya – Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has taken ownership of the 159th and final Kipchoge 1:59 Limited Edition Isuzu D-Max, marking the conclusion of a three-year campaign inspired by his historic sub-two-hour marathon achievement.
Isuzu East Africa handed over the final vehicle in a symbolic ceremony that brought together Kipchoge’s sporting legacy and one of Kenya’s most distinctive automotive collaborations.
The marathon champion also completed the circle personally. Kipchoge purchased the final unit, having previously taken ownership of unit 001 when the limited-edition range was launched.
The final pickup carries the customised registration plate KDY 159A, further emphasising its place as the last of the 159 vehicles produced.
The limited-edition D-Max draws its identity from Kipchoge’s extraordinary performance in Vienna, Austria, in October 2019.
During the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, Kipchoge completed the marathon distance in 1:59:40, becoming the first person to run 42.195 kilometres in under two hours.
The performance did not qualify as an official world record because of the specially arranged conditions surrounding the event. However, it became one of the most celebrated achievements in modern athletics.
The milestone inspired Isuzu East Africa to create a special D-Max series built around the 1:59 theme. The company limited production to 159 units, giving the vehicles a direct numerical connection to Kipchoge’s historic achievement.
Kipchoge now holds a unique position in the limited-edition series.
He took unit 001 when Isuzu launched the vehicle campaign. Three years later, he purchased unit 159, becoming the owner of the final vehicle produced.
Kipchoge celebrated the milestone after receiving the vehicle.
“It’s a joy to receive the 159th and final Kipchoge 1:59 Limited Edition D-Max from my Isuzu East Africa family.”
He said the vehicle carried a deeper meaning because of the story behind the special edition.
“This is the last of only 159 units built, each one carrying my name, my signature but most importantly, my story about pushing limits.”
The final D-Max features the same distinctive design elements that define the limited edition. Each vehicle carries Kipchoge’s name and signature, while the design incorporates Kenyan flag colours. The limited production also gives every vehicle a unique place in the 1:59 story.
However, the final unit carries an additional distinction through its KDY 159A registration plate. The number 159 makes the vehicle’s identity immediately recognisable and confirms its position as the last unit in the series.
The limited-edition D-Max also gave rise to the Kipchoge 1:59 Club, a community bringing together the 159 owners. The club centres on Kipchoge’s philosophy of pushing beyond perceived limitations.
His famous message, “No Human Is Limited,” became closely associated with the campaign and the community built around the vehicles. The 159 owners therefore became part of a group linked by more than ownership of the same vehicle.
They became part of a story about ambition, discipline and the belief that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved through commitment and persistence. With Kipchoge taking the final vehicle, the athlete who inspired the series now owns its closing chapter.
The partnership between Kipchoge and Isuzu East Africa allowed the automotive company to build a campaign around one of Kenya’s most recognisable sporting achievements. Kipchoge’s 2019 Vienna run gave the campaign its central theme, while the D-Max provided a physical representation of the achievement.
Isuzu produced the vehicles locally in Kenya, making the limited edition particularly significant in the country’s automotive market. The company then connected the vehicles through the 1:59 Club, giving owners an opportunity to associate themselves with Kipchoge’s philosophy and sporting journey.
The three-year campaign has now reached its conclusion with the handover of the 159th vehicle. Kipchoge reflected on the journey that began with his historic marathon performance and eventually inspired the limited-edition vehicles.
“From a Vienna morning to 159 vehicles on Kenyan roads, this is truly a story of 159 owners with a shared belief in what’s possible when you commit and trust the process.”
