In what is being described as the greatest ever demonstration of long-distance running, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge has ran the Berlin Marathon in a time of 2: 01: 39 - a new world-record that takes 77 seconds off the previous mark.
One of the greatest achievements in human history. ELIUD KIPCHOGE 2:01:40!!!! Demolishes WR by 1:17! #berlinmarathon2018 pic.twitter.com/AapmFjJoi3
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) September 16, 2018
A simply phenomenal feat, the 33-year-old Kipchoge adds this new world-record to the Olympic gold medal he claimed in Rio two years ago. Speaking post-race, Kipchoge was all but beyond words; "I lack words to describe this day."
Attracting attention from all over the athletics world, Kipchoge's achievement is already being spoken of in the highest terms.
I'm in tears #eliudkipchoge
— Adharanand Finn (@adharanand) September 16, 2018
"Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions"
-Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge - who has just set a new world record of 2.01.40 at the Berlin Marathon.
- the Greatest Marathoner, Ever https://t.co/l6CJrkW77L— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) September 16, 2018
Eliud Kipchoge has just destroyed the marathon world record in Berlin: 2.01:40.
That is obscene. Obscene.
The greatest of all time just got even greater. Incredible. Totally and utterly incredible.— Ben Bloom (@benbloomsport) September 16, 2018
Just wow.
This new world record is going to stand for a long time. @EliudKipchoge is the best.— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) September 16, 2018
Congratulations my friend @EliudKipchoge for breaking the World Marathon Record. Proud of you brother #Magicalkenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/6PjLCrX0u0
— Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) September 16, 2018
Congratulations @EliudKipchoge for breaking marathon record in 2hrs:01min;39sec, pic.twitter.com/phYPfzoSBH
— David Rudisha (@rudishadavid) September 16, 2018
Did you see that?! @EliudKipchoge smashes the #marathonWR absolutely and completely by 57sec @ 2:01:40 #BerlinMarathon 🔥🔥🔥🇰🇪
— Patrick Njoroge (@njorogep) September 16, 2018
Breaking down Kipchoge's time, however, is where the manner of his achievement really comes into focus. Given how astonishingly fast he ran, many have speculated a number of ways to measure it against everyday life.
Imagine doing 200m reps in 34.60 seconds. With no rest in between. 211 times over.
That's basically what @EliudKipchoge did in Berlin today.— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) September 16, 2018
If you were to run alongside Kipchoge, how long would you last? This is what 2:01:39 pace translates to for various distances.
I'd probably be spent at about 700m. With some hard training, I could maybe make it a full 800m. pic.twitter.com/FlWmIi3mLk— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) September 16, 2018
Similarly astonishing is the speed at which Kipchoge ran the second-half of the race specifically. With already half a marathon behind him, the Kenyan nevertheless managed to run an incredibly quick time.
Fun fact: In an open half marathon, four Americans have run faster than Kipchoge's second half today of 60:33.
— Scott Douglas (@mescottdouglas) September 16, 2018
From an Irish perspective, his time would outstrip the best efforts of any Irish runner over the half-marathon.
In the Kenyan city of Eldoret, celebrations were well underway as Kipchoge rounded off this most remarkable run.
Scenes in Eldoret as he crossed the line #BerlinMarathon pic.twitter.com/gbWNePnQGO
— Emily Evans (@RunEmilyERun) September 16, 2018
You can watch the finale of Kipchoge's successful run below.
BREAKING: @EliudKipchoge clocks in a New World Record of 2:01:40 @ the #BerlinMarathon pic.twitter.com/XNSLOEa646
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 16, 2018
