Tobias Sylvester
34-year-old Kenyan long-distance runner, Eliud Kipchoge has made history by becoming the first athlete to run a marathon distance in less than two hours.
Eliud Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 to complete the 26.2-mile distance at the Ineos Challenge in Vienna, Austria – an achievement that is considered as one of the ultimate milestones in athletic performance.
The split times for the fastest marathon ever. 🔥#INEOS159 #NoHumanIsLimited pic.twitter.com/BbVqhgbaDQ
— INEOS 1:59 Challenge (@INEOS159) October 12, 2019
Despite the achievement, the milestone won’t count as a world record because the marathon was unofficial, and his feat won’t be recognized by the world athletics body because it’s not an open competition.
The Kenyan had previously pushed the mark close in a similar attempt at the Monza Formula One racetrack near MIlan in 2017 where he ran 2:00:25 at the occasion.
Kipchoge is the holder of the official marathon World Record, a time of 2:01:39 set at the Berlin Marathon last year.
He has won eight World Marathon Majors, and took marathon gold in Rio at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Whereas Kipchoge lost steam in Italy and fell 25 seconds short despite a final kick, here he was on track right from the outset, aided by an all-star team of pacemakers and a pacing car.
https://twitter.com/EliudKipchoge/status/1182934782684123136
Speaking after making history, Kipchoge praised all those who supported him through the race, and also his family, who were in the crowd to watch on as Kipchoge broke the two-hour mark.
“They (my wife and kids) have given me so much support, I’m happy they came here to witness history,” Kipchoge said at the finish.
“The positivity of sport, I want it to be a clean and interesting sport, wake up early in the morning and run. It can be good for all.”
Today we went to the Moon and came back to earth! I am at a loss for words for all the support I have received from all over the world.
Thank you to all who gave me the opportunity. Asante. pic.twitter.com/0HTVBjB6YY
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) October 12, 2019
Meanwhile, Jessica Nabongo has officially become the first black woman to have visited every single country in the world. The Ugandan-American visited all the 195 countries in the world.
