Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya runs marathon under two hours

Yesterday, Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya ran a marathon in less than two hours. This is the first time anyone has been recorded to run a full marathon of 42.195 kilometers (approximately 26 miles) under this pursued landmark time. It was not, however, an officially sanctioned world record, as it was not an "open race" of the IAAF. His time was 1 hour 59 minutes 40.2 seconds.

Kipchoge ran in Vienna, Austria. It was an event specifically designed to help Kipchoge break the two hour barrier. Called the Ineos 1:59 Challenge, it featured 42 pacemakers — supporting runners. The team included top runners and Olympic champions. They ran with Kipchoge, alternating positions in a surrounding formation.

"They are among the best athletes in the world — so thank you," said Kipchoge after the run. "I appreciate them for accepting this job. We did this one together." He posted on Twitter, "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."

Kipchoge also set the current official world record for a sanctioned race, of 2 hours 1 minute 39 seconds, last year in Berlin, Germany.