Keyan runner Eliud Kipchoge was seconds away from making history on Saturday but fell just seconds short of becoming the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours.
Kipchoge completed the 26.2-mile run around an oval track in just 2 hours and 25 seconds, breaking Dennis Kimetto’s record by 2 1/2 minutes.
“We are human,” Kipchoge said. “I am happy that I’ve reduced by 2 1/2 minutes the world record.”
Eliud Kipchoge - 2:00:25
— Nike (@Nike) May 6, 2017
The barrier just got that much closer. #Breaking2 #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/uw9Dz1zknE
We are going up the tree ... I have lifted a branch and I am going onto the next one. This is not the end of the attempt of runners on two hours.
Kipchoge, who is widely considered the best marathon runner in the world, also broke his personal best time of 2:03:05.
The marathon, which is part of Nike's Breaking2 project, was held at the Monza Formula 1 track near Milan, Italy.
Eliud Kipchoge - 2:00:25
— Nike (@Nike) May 6, 2017
The barrier just got that much closer. #Breaking2 #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/A9fb1wZt1X
The Breaking2 project was launched in 2014 and was designed to make the two-hour marathon dream a reality.
“Today, millions of people around the world watched as running history was written. At Breaking2, Eliud Kipchoge ran 26.2 miles faster than any human ever," Nike CEO Mark Parker said. "This achievement represents more than a race. It’s a moment of global inspiration that will encourage every athlete, in every community, to push the limits of their potential.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
