Kenyan · Kapsisiywa, Kenya · Born 5 November 1984Widely regarded as the greatest marathoner ever.
On 12 October 2019 in Vienna, Eliud Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 to become the first person in human history to complete a marathon in under two hours — a barrier as significant to distance running as the four-minute mile had been to the middle distance.. He competed as a track runner from 2003, winning the World Championship 5000m gold in Paris 2003 at 18. He transitioned to the marathon in 2013. His own marathon best and final world record of 2:01:09 was set in Berlin in September 2022, improving his previous mark of 2:01:39 from 2018; that stood for just over a year before compatriot Kelvin Kiptum lowered it to the current world record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. In October 2019 he ran 1:59:40 at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna — the first sub-two-hour marathon in human history, though ineligible for the world record due to the use of pacemakers and other conditions. He won Olympic marathon gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021. He won 7 World Marathon Majors titles including Berlin (4 times), London (4 times) and Chicago. His 5000m personal best of 12:46.53 and 10,000m personal best of 26:49.02 reflect world-class track ability at his foundation. His Kaptagat training camp in the Rift Valley, his communal approach to training and his philosophy — No Human Is Limited — have made him as significant a figure in endurance sport culture as in its statistics.
Marathon Runner
His sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna ran the equivalent of 26.2 miles at under 4 minutes 34 seconds per mile, for two hours.
Did You Know?How They Played
Smooth running form, exceptional pacing, mental toughness
Lasting Impact
Revolutionized marathon running with consistent sub-2:10 times and mental approach
Career Honours
- 2003 World champ 5000m
- 2004 Olympic bronze 5000m
- 2008 Olympic silver 5000m
- 2016,2020 Olympic gold marathon
- marathon WR 2018 & 2022
Kenyan Athletes