This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
On October 12, 2019, Eliud Kipchoge made history by becoming the first man 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 entered the Guinness Book of World Records for running the first sub two-hour marathon. However, his feat will not be recognized by the world athletics governing body, IAAF, as the 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 divided into groups of seven, with five running ahead of Kipchoge in a 'V' formation and two behind him to dictate the pace and protect him from the wind.
Ahead of the pack was a zero-emission Audi E-tron car, which beamed green laser lights onto the tarmac to guide the runners to stick to the agreed pace of two minutes and 50 seconds per kilometre.
Each runner had a chip fitted in their shoe, and with the car's cruise control not 100% efficient, organisers threw in transponders at every kilometre to ensure the correct pace was maintained, with a back-up car at the ready, just in case.
And the plan worked perfectly, with Kipchoge completing the first five kilometres in 14:10, 10km in 28:20, and 15km in 42:34. He passed the 35km mark at 1:39:23 and left no margin for error to finish in 1:59:40.
