Historic Marathon Record Shattered at Tokyo International Marathon

Summary – Eliud Kipchoge sets a new marathon world record at the Tokyo International Marathon, finishing in 2:01:09.,

Article –

The Tokyo International Marathon witnessed a historic moment as Eliud Kipchoge set a new men’s marathon world record. On June 2, 2024, Kipchoge finished the 42.195 km race in an astounding 2 hours, 1 minute, and 9 seconds (2:01:09), breaking his own previous record by 30 seconds.

Timeline and Sequence of Events

The race began at 8:00 AM local time with elite runners from 25 countries. Kipchoge maintained an average speed of approximately 20.9 km/h and reached the half-marathon point in 59 minutes and 51 seconds, slightly ahead of the previous world record pace. The sunny 18°C weather along Tokyo’s city route provided ideal conditions. In the final 5 kilometers, Kipchoge surged ahead of Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele, finishing the race alone and visibly exhausted.

Key Figures

• Eliud Kipchoge: Two-time Olympic gold medalist and London Marathon champion.
• Satoshi Nakamura: Tokyo International Marathon race director.
• International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF/World Athletics): Official ratification of the race and timing.

Verified Statistics

• Kipchoge’s finishing time: 2:01:09 (New World Record)
• Previous world record: 2:01:39 (Kipchoge, Berlin 2018)
• Average pace: ~2 minutes 52 seconds per kilometer
• Weather: Partly sunny, 18°C

Official Quotes

Eliud Kipchoge said, “I am grateful for the perfect conditions and the incredible support from the fans today. This record is a testament to years of hard work and dedication. My goal was to push the limits of human endurance and I feel humbled to have achieved that here in Tokyo.”

Race director Satoshi Nakamura commented, “This year’s marathon was exceptional with Eliud Kipchoge’s world record run. It elevates the prestige of the Tokyo International Marathon on the global athletics calendar. We are proud to have hosted this historic performance.”

Immediate Consequences

Kipchoge’s new record cements his legacy as the greatest marathoner of all time, surpassing his previous best by 30 seconds. The IAAF officially updated the world record, and Kipchoge received a prize purse totaling $250,000, including bonuses for the record.

Reactions

• Fellow competitors congratulated Kipchoge on his remarkable achievement.
• Fans expressed their admiration on social media.
• World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised Kipchoge for inspiring the athletics community and redefining human performance limits.

What Comes Next?

Eliud Kipchoge is preparing for the World Athletics Championships in August 2024, with high expectations for continued excellence. The Tokyo International Marathon organizers plan to build on this success to further establish the race as a premier venue for record-breaking performances.

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Bhavya

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