Eliud Kipchoge became the first human to finish a marathon distance in under two hours, clocking 1:59:40.2 in Vienna on 12 October 2019. While this Ineos 1:59 Challenge achievement remained ineligible for official world record status due to specialized pacing and fluid protocols, it cemented his global standing as the preeminent marathoner of his generation.
Early Track Career
Born on 5 November 1984 in Kapsisiywa, Kenya, Kipchoge began his formal training under Patrick Sang in 2001. His early rise included winning the junior race at the 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and capturing the 5000m gold at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. He maintained international prominence through 2008, securing Olympic bronze in Athens and Olympic silver in Beijing.
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Kipchoge shifted his focus to road running in 2012, initiating his campaign with a half marathon performance of 59:25. His marathon debut occurred at the 2013 Hamburg Marathon, which he won in course-record time. Between 2013 and 2023, he established dominance in major marathons, securing victories in Chicago, London, and Berlin. He claimed the World Marathon Major series title five times between 2016 and 2022.
Records and Recognition
Kipchoge held the official world record for the marathon from 2018 until Kelvin Kiptum surpassed it at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. His 2018 record-setting run had previously marked the most significant improvement in the discipline since 1967. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart in 2019, and he received the Princess of Asturias Award in 2023.
Personal Life and Recent Challenges
He resides and trains in Kaptagat, Kenya, maintaining a base 30 kilometers from his family home in Eldoret. Following the death of Kelvin Kiptum in 2024, Kipchoge was subjected to online threats that falsely implicated him in the athlete's passing. These events negatively affected his training regimen and psychological well-being as he continued his professional career.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 November 1984, Kapsisiywa, Kenya
- Primary event: Marathon
- Trainer: Patrick Sang
- Olympic medals: Gold (2016, 2020), Silver (2008), Bronze (2004)
- Residence: Kaptagat, Kenya
- Major awards: Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart, Goldener Rathausmann, Princess of Asturias Award
- Languages: English, Swahili, Nandi-Markweta
Questions readers ask
Did Kipchoge's 1:59:40.2 marathon count as an official record?
No, the 2019 Ineos 1:59 Challenge did not count as an official record because it used specialized shoes, utilized non-standard pacing, and was not conducted as an open event.
What is Eliud Kipchoge's current status in major marathon competition?
Kipchoge remains an active athlete, though he has experienced losses in his last three marathons since 2024.
Achievements
- Worked as marathon runner, long-distance runner and athletics competitor
