This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
On October 12, 2019, Eliud Kipchoge, a 34-year-old Kenyan athlete, made history by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours. He completed the 26.2-mile (42.2km) course in 1h59'40" at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria.
Although his achievement will not be recognized as the official marathon world record due to the use of rotating pacemakers in a non-competitive setting, Kipchoge's performance was a remarkable feat. The Olympic champion, who holds the official marathon world record of 2:01:39, set in Berlin, Germany in 2018, had previously attempted to break the two-hour barrier at the Italian Grand Prix circuit in Monza in 2017, but fell short by 25 seconds.
With a team of 42 pacemakers, including Olympic champions Matthew Centrowitz and Paul Chelimo, Kipchoge was able to achieve his goal. As he crossed the finish line, the pacemakers dropped back, allowing Kipchoge to sprint to the end, surrounded by a cheering crowd in Vienna.
Reflecting on his achievement, Kipchoge drew parallels with Sir Roger Bannister, who became the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile in 1954. Kipchoge's historic run was a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
