Eliud Kipchoge Succeeds at INEOS 1:59 Challenge

By Adam Kopet

Eliud Kipchoge skipped running the fall big-city marathons to take another shot at breaking 2 hours in an exhibition race. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge was created to apply the lessons learned from Kipchoge's first attempt in 2017 where he fell short by 26 seconds.

Running Saturday in Vienna, Kipchoge ran nearly metronomic splits to become the first man to run under 2 hours for the marathon. He crossed the finish line in 1:59:40.2.

RESULTS

Fog unexpectedly descended on Vienna the morning of the event, raising the humidity to above the desired level. However, the race was not to be delayed.

The race started on a bridge spanning the Danube River before joining the primary course loop through a nearby park. The pacing team includes a pace car projecting green laser markings onto the road, as well as teams of pacemakers who changed in and out to keep seven men surrounding Kipchoge throughout the race.

Kipchoge opened the race by running the first five kilometers in 14:10. He repeated that performance in the second five kilometers in 14:10 again. Throughout the race, Kipchoge's 5K splits were between 14:10 and 14:14.

The split times for the fastest marathon ever. 🔥#INEOS159 #NoHumanIsLimited pic.twitter.com/BbVqhgbaDQ

— INEOS 1:59 Challenge (@INEOS159) October 12, 2019

He reached 40 kilometers in 1:53:36. That put him on pace for 1:59:50 with 2.2 kilometers left to run.

The pace cars peeled off and the race was on for the final kilometer. Kipchoge hit passed his pacemakers with about 600 meters to go as he sprinted toward the finish. He was all alone, waving and pointing to the crowd in the final stretch to break the marathon barrier of 2 hours. He improved an additional 10 seconds in the final 2.2 kilometers to cross the line in 1:59:40.2.

Kipchoge's wife leaped into his arms after the finish. It was the first time she had seen him race a marathon in person. Shortly afterward, he was surrounded by his pacemaking team as they celebrated his achievement with him.

HISTORY FOR @EliudKipchoge #INEOS159 pic.twitter.com/UnhpyQk392

— RunnerSpace.com (@RunnerSpace_com) October 12, 2019

Kipchoge's time will not count as a world record. The INEOS 1:59 Challenge was an exhibition race not held in compliance to IAAF world record rules. The pace car and rotating pacemakers are not allowed for world records. World record or not, it is still an impressive performance and one for the history books.