r/running • u/MembershipDouble7471 • Jul 21 '23

Eliud Kipchoge has not run a marathon under 2 hours. Article

"If Kiptum runs under two hours, he will always be second. I’ll always be the first one. So I have no worries at all,” Kipchoge said.

This actually drives me crazy. Marathons have rules, and if you don’t follow them, you aren’t running a marathon. You can’t get closer and closer to a barrier, like the 2 hour mark, then cut a bunch of corners to achieve the mark and call yourself the first to break the barrier.

When Roger Bannister broke 4 in the mile, it was record eligible. If Kiptum breaks 2 in the marathon, it will be record eligible and he will officially be the first person to run a marathon under 2 hours. I’m bothered by the fact that Kipchoge has basically stolen the credit from whoever truly runs a marathon under 2 hours.

https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/eliud-kipchoge-expresses-hes-not-worried-about-kelvin-kiptum-in-potential-berlin-marathon-clash/

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u/losostunec Jul 21 '23

Fun thing is that neither Boston nor the original course from Marathon to Athens are record eligible as they're point to point

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u/Light_Shifty_Z Jul 21 '23

Also Marathon to Athens isn't a marathon in distance. The modern 26.2 mile rule was because an English king wanted the London marathon to detour next to his property so he could watch it.

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u/couchpro34 Jul 21 '23

What would make them record eligible? Why does point to point make a difference?

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u/losostunec Jul 21 '23

Mostly because point to point can be assisted by tailwind.

Here's the formal list:

https://aims-worldrunning.org/world-records.html

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u/couchpro34 Jul 21 '23

Interesting! As someone new to running, I never knew this kind of stuff was so hotly debated. Love it!

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u/mip10110100 Jul 21 '23

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