Who holds the fastest marathon time and world record?

THE marathon has been a long-standing means of showing the world an athlete’s level of endurance, speed and mental strength.

Before 1972, only men were allowed to run marathons. Now all genders and abilities are welcome to show what they are capable of.

AFP

Kelvin Kiptum holds the record[/caption]

Who holds the fastest marathon time and world record?

The fastest male marathon time set was by Kelvin Kiptum.

He ran the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:00:35 on October 8, 2023.

Early marathon races were various distances, with the 26.2 miles becoming the set standard 28 years after the first marathon in 1896.

Races have to abide by specific rules and conditions set out by the International Association of Athletes Federation.

The criteria allow for point-to-point courses. As long as a race satisfies these, it can be considered a marathon.

There are a few marathons worldwide that bring people in droves to watch and participate in. These are the:

• New York Marathon
• Boston Marathon
• London Marathon
• Tokyo Marathon
• Berlin Marathon
• Chicago Marathon

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Kelvin Kiptum died in a car crash[/caption]

Who is Kelvin Kiptum?

Kelvin Kiptum was a Kenyan long-distance runner who currently holds the marathon world record.

As of 2024 he ran three of the seven fastest marathons in history and was ranked first among the world’s men’s marathon runners.

he had a humble upbringing and as a young boy he herded his family’s cattle and began following other barefoot runners along the forest trails.

Kiptum started training around 2013 when he was 13 years-old.

On February 11, 2024 Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a road traffic accident.

Sebastian Coe said: “On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, team mates and the Kenyan nation. It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon world record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.

“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Marathon World record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum.

“An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.

“I offer my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time.”

Kiptum was buried at his farm in Naiberi.

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Kiptum was buried at his farm in Naiber[/caption]

What is the fastest London Marathon time?

Kiptum also holds the record of the fastest time to run the London Marathon with a time of 2:01:25.

He achieved this in 2023.

Who holds the female fastest marathon time?

The first women’s Olympic marathon happened in Los Angeles in 1984.

The female fastest marathon time is 2:11:53 and is held by Tigist Assefa from Ethiopia.

The second fastest women’s time is 2:13:44 held by Sifan Hassan from The Netherlands.

British distance running legend Paula Radcliffe’s 2003 London marathon time remains in the top six fastest marathon times at 2:15:25.