This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
On October 12, 2019, Eliud Kipchoge made history by becoming the first person to run a marathon under two hours, clocking 1:59:40 during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge at Prater Park in Vienna, Austria.
Assisted by 41 pacemakers, Kipchoge's achievement earned him a place in the Guinness World Records, although the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) does not recognize it as a new world marathon record.
This was Kipchoge's second attempt at breaking the two-hour barrier, following his previous attempt in 2017 during the "Breaking2" event in Monza, Italy, where he timed 2:00:25.
During the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, the pacemakers were strategically positioned to dictate the pace for Kipchoge, with a zero-emission Audi E-tron car beaming green laser lights onto the tarmac to guide the runners.
With each runner equipped with a chip in their shoe and a backup car at the ready, the plan worked perfectly, with Kipchoge completing the first five kilometres in 14:10, 10km in 28:20, and 15km in 42:34.
