On 12th October, 34-year-old Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first person in recorded history to complete a 26.2-mile marathon in less than two hours.
Kipchoge finished the 1:59 INEOS challenge held in Vienna, Austria in a record 1:59:40.2.
HISTORY IS MADE! 🤯
For so long, so many thought it was impossible, but @EliudKipchoge becomes the first human to run a sub two-hour marathon.
#INEOS159 #NoHumanIsLimited pic.twitter.com/ONL9jyPR0n— INEOS 1:59 Challenge (@INEOS159) October 12, 2019
Kipchoge, who is also an Olympic champion and four-time London Marathon winner, had missed reaching this landmark by 25 seconds in an attempt in 2017 at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. However, he holds the official marathon world record of 2:01:39.
“This shows no-one is limited,” said Kipchoge. “Now I’ve done it, I am expecting more people to do it after me.”
He also put up a post on social media that said, “Today we went to the Moon and came back to earth! I am at a loss for words for all the support I have received from all over the world.”
Today we went to the Moon and came back to earth! I am at a loss for words for all the support I have received from all over the world.
Thank you to all who gave me the opportunity. Asante. pic.twitter.com/0HTVBjB6YY
— Eliud Kipchoge (@EliudKipchoge) October 12, 2019
This record, however, will not be recognized as an official record because the race was not run under open marathon conditions and Kipchoge used a team of rotating pacemakers.
After reaching the finish line, Kipchoge leapt into the arms of his wife Grace and held a Kenyan flag. Interestingly, this was the very first time that his family watched him run in person.
This is a monumental effort by Kipchoge and this feat was widely considered impossible. Doesn’t it also demonstrate that there is no limit that the human body cannot push? What do you think?
