Kipchoge smashes own marathon world record in Berlin

Eliud Kipchoge smashed his own marathon world record as he completed the Berlin race in 2:01:09 on Sunday. The Kenyan’s previous best was also set in Berlin back in 2018 – he managed to shave 30 seconds off that time in setting the new record on Sunday. Kipchoge last raced in March when he fell short of the record by a little over a minute in Tokyo, but he emphatically got the job done as he ran through Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and jubilantly crossed the line.

“I am happy with my preparation and I think I was so fast because of the teamwork. Everything is down to teamwork,” he said shortly after his momentous victory. What motivates is my family I and I want to inspire young people. Sport unites people and that is what motivates me.”

Two hour barrier

Kipchoge is the only man to complete a marathon in under two hours, achieving the feat in Vienna three years ago on a specialist track. It is not deemed an official record as the time was not set in official competition, but it is seemingly felt Kipchoge could potentially achieve such a time in a legitimate race given he took 30 seconds off the record, and that is where questioning soon went.

Asked if he will try a sub-two hour marathon in Berlin in 2023, Kipchoge replied: “Let us plan for another day. I will celebrate this record and have to realise what happens. Just roll and see what happens.”

In the women’s race, Tigist Assefa crossed the line first with a time of 2:15:37, which is the third-quickest women’s marathon in history.