Kenya’s Kipchoge becomes first runner to complete marathon under two hours

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge became the first distance runner to successfully complete a sub two-hour marathon on Saturday.

Kipchoge achieved this historic feat in the 42.2km race at Prater park in the Austrian capital of Vienna, in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds.

He was guided by rotating 41-one man teams of pacemakers, many of whom are world class runners, and by an electric pace-car that showed the ideal pace and position they should be running.

The pacemakers dropped in and out of the race to help protect him from the wind.

The 34-year-old’s effort, however, will not count as an official world record but will be seen as a historic moment in distance running, because it was not an open competition and used in and out pacemakers.

The Olympic champion had claimed that this quest, dubbed as ‘INEOS 1:59 Challenge’, would be comparable in the annals of human achievement to standing on the moon or scaling Everest for the first time.

“I am feeling good. After Roger Bannister in 1954 it took another 63 years, I tried and I did not get it – 65 years, I am the first man – I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited,” Kipchoge said.

HISTORY IS MADE! 🤯

For so long, so many thought it was impossible, but @EliudKipchoge becomes the first human to run a sub two-hour marathon.
#INEOS159 #NoHumanIsLimited pic.twitter.com/ONL9jyPR0n

— INEOS 1:59 Challenge (@INEOS159) October 12, 2019

This is the second attempt for Kipchoge after he failed in his first try in 2017, running a marathon distance of 2:00:25.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has congratulated Kipchoge on his achievement.

1:59:40!

Congratulations @EliudKipchoge #Eliud159 https://t.co/76goK6Geka

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— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) October 12, 2019