A WORLD record holder has made history by becoming the first person to run a gruelling marathon in under two hours.
Eliud Kipchoge, 34, smashed his target by 20 seconds to complete the race in 1:59:40 after missing out by just 25 seconds in his first bid two years ago.
Eliud Kipchoge has become the first person to complete a marathon in under two hoursCredit: Reuters
He managed to smash his target by 20 secondsCredit: Reuters
He said after that ‘no human is limited’Credit: Reuters
Eliud Kipchoge take in the moment after running a marathon in less than two hoursCredit: EPA
The Kenyan, who is considered to be the greatest marathon runner of all-time, took part in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna today.
He ran at 13mph and a 1km pace of two-minute 50-seconds – the average speed of traffic in central London is 7mph.
But his feat will not stand as an official record because it is not in open competition and it uses rotating pacesetters.
His 41-strong team protected from any head wind, ensure he is on schedule and supply him with drinks as he ran 4.4 laps of a flat, 9.6km circuit.
There was also a green laser to show Kipchoge where he needed to be in order to beat the record.
‘NO HUMAN BEING IS LIMITED’
Kipchoge somehow managed to continue running after the race as he met jubilant crowds who had cheered him on for the final sprint.
He said: “I am feeling good.
“It’s taken 65 years for a human being to make history in sport – after Roger Bannister made history in 1954. I have tried and I got it.
“I am the happiest man to run under two hours to inspire people, to tell people that no human being is limited. You can do it.
“I expect more athletes in the world to run under two hours after today.
“You need dedication, you need the hard runs.
“Absolutely remember the 41 pacemakers are among the best athletes ever in the world. They are the best, I want to thank them, to appreciate them for accepting to do their job. We made history together in this one.
“My wife and two children have given more support. I am glad they are here to witness history.
“The positively of sport, I want to make it a clean sport and an interesting sport.”
‘PHENOMENAL’
Despite not being considered a world record, the bid will still make history – with no one ever running 26.2 miles quicker than 1:59.
His coach, Patrick Sang, praised the Kenyan for “inspiring the world” as sports heroes offered their congratulations.
Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France champion, said: “This is phenomenal.
“It’s incredible to watch him run. He looks like he is not breathing, just gliding over the road.
“Kenya is quite well known for its marathon runners but to do something monumental as this, it will be such a boost for all the athletes over there. Breaking barriers, showing the impossible is durable.
“Eliud is most capable of human being on earth to deal with that pain.”
An average runner completes a sub four-hour marathon – with just two per cent of the global running community ever making the distance in under three hours.
‘I’M RUNNING TO MAKE HISTORY’
Kipchoge has been training for six months to prepare for today’s marathon at The Prater.
Speaking ahead of the race, he said: “I’m running to make history.
“I’m running to show that there are no limits, no human is limited.”
The Olympic champ, who won the London Marathon for the fourth time earlier this year, missed out as part of Nike’s Breaking 2 project at the Monza grand prix circuit in Italy two years ago.
But he believed the favourable climate, excellent air quality and almost completely flat terrain in Vienna will help him run to victory.
The event was bankrolled by petrochemicals company Ineos, which is owned by Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Kipchoge wore special super-shoes designed by Nike and there were a team of staff members to sweep away conkers from the course.
He broke the official record by running 2:01:39 in the 2018 Berlin Marathon.
Kipchoge said: “Berlin was running and breaking a world record – Vienna is running and making history, like the first man to go to the moon.
“I am trying to stay as calm as possible.”
He completed the run in 1:59:40Credit: Reuters
The world record holder missed out on the challenge two years agoCredit: EPA
Kipchoge’s attempt will not be an official recordCredit: Reuters
He is using 41 pacesetters to help him finishCredit: AP:Associated Press
Kipchoge sets off this morning in ViennaCredit: AP:Associated Press
The pacesetters will provide drinks and measure wind speedCredit: AP:Associated Press
He said he is attempting to make historyCredit: AFP or licensors
Eliud Kipchoge will attempt to make history and break the two-hour barrier
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
