2:01:39
Eliud Kipchoge Shatters Marathon World Record
copyright 2018, Mark Cullen/Trackerati.com. All Rights Reserved
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| Photo courtesy SCC Events/Berlin Marathon |
Even the pacesetters couldn't keep up with Kipchoge, as two of the three dropped out between 14 and 15 kilometers, far earlier than expected. Sammy Kitwara, the "special pacer" who holds a half marathon best of 58:48, was a particular surprise.
It appeared that Josephat Boit, the 2006 NCAA 10,000m champion, had saved the day by staying with Kipchoge as the lone pacer until 25.7 km, but as soon as Boit dropped out, Kipchoge sped up.
He won the race by almost 5 minutes as countrymen Amos Kipruto and former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang finished second and third in 2:06:23 and 2:06:48. It was a good day for Japan, too, as Shogo Nakamura led a 4-6-8 finish for his country.
Asked after the race if he had any goals left, Kipchoge, the 2016 Olympic Champion, quipped, "Yes, 2:02!" Kipchoge skipped the 2:02 range as he dropped his previous best of 2:03:05 by 86 seconds - an astounding 2 seconds per kilometer and 3 seconds per mile.
Earlier in the week, Kipchoge had been coy about a world record attempt, saying he wanted a personal best when his best was only 8 seconds off the world record. He also said that he would pace the 2:06 group, presumably sending race organizers into fits of apoplexy.
In a very fast and highly competitive women's race, Gladys Cherono (Ken) led three women under 2:19 to win in 2:18:11. Ruti Aga's (Eth) 2:18:34 set a personal best by over two minutes, while Ethiopian distance legend Tirunesh Dibaba (Eth) was third in 2:18:55.
Just seconds after crossing the finish line, Kipchoge began posing for the assembled photographers. Kipchoge then moved from having pictures taken to turn to the crowd and start his victory celebration.
At the moment he turned, the clock read 2:02:57, the previous world record.
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