Eliud Kipchoge breaks two-hour barrier in the marathon: 1:59:40
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in Vienna today. However, the feat won't be recognised as a record by the IAAF.
Eliud Kipchoge made history by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours on Saturday. The Kenyan distance runner recorded a historic time of one hour, 59 minutes and 40.2 seconds as he took part in an INEOS challenge event in Vienna.
Kipchoge, 34, was joined by 41 support runners who all rotated in at different stages of his effort, while a car projected a laser to help the runners track their pace. The four-time London Marathon winner broke new ground, although his time will not be recognised as an official world record by the IAAF due to it not taking place in a professional race.
Second time lucky for Kipchoge
Kipchoge had previously attempted the feat in May 2017 at the Monza racing circuit, finishing 25 seconds outside the mark on that occasion. This time around, he ensured October 12, 2019 will be a date that goes down in the history books.
"After Roger Bannister in 1954 it took another 63 years - I tried and I did not get it," said Kipchoge of his efforts to reach the astonishing achievement, referencing Bannister's famous four-minute mile. After 65 years, I am the first man. I want to inspire many people to know that no human is limited."
Kipchoge holds the official world record, which stands at two hours, one minute and 39 seconds.
In his attempt on Saturday, at the halfway point he was projected to finish with 11 seconds to spare and as the second hour of his effort progressed it began to look increasingly likely he would accomplish that. With six kilometres to go he was still 10 seconds inside his target and he accelerated from there to come in more comfortably than the initial splits had suggested.
Kipchoge knew he had done it as he approached final straight and repeatedly pointed to the lively crowd who roared him on. He raised his arms and hugged wife as soon as he crossed the line, before being greeted by his support team and celebrating with his ecstatic pacemakers while raising the Kenyan flag.
Kipchoge thanks Vienna pacemakers
Kipchoge added: "Absolutely remember the 41 pacemakers are among the best athletes ever in the world. I can say thank you to them, I appreciate them for accepting and together we made history on this one. We can make this world a beautiful world and a peaceful world. My wife and three children, I am happy for them to come and witness history. I am feeling good. The positivity of sport, I want to make it a clean sport and an interesting sport."