Kipchoge breaks marathon world record in Berlin with stunning 2:01:39 | REPORT | World Athletics (2025)

In a stunning display of distance running, Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge broke the world record* at the BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday (16), winning the IAAF Gold Label road race in 2:01:39.

Compatriot Gladys Cherono, meanwhile, secured her third Berlin Marathon crown, smashing the course record. Her winning time of 2:18:11 moves her to fourth on the world all-time list.

From the early stages of the men's race, 33-year-old Kipchoge had just a handful of pacemakers for company as they passed through five kilometres in 14:24 and 10 kilometres in 29:01.

Wilson Kipsang, winner of the 2013 Berlin Marathon in a then world record of 2:03:23, led the chase trio with fellow Kenyan Amos Kipruto and Ethiopia's Abera Kuma close behind. They passed five kilometres in 14:33 before Kipsang edged ahead a few kilometres later, passing 10 kilometres in 29:12.

But shortly after 15 kilometres, which was reached in 43:38, two of Kipchoge's three pacemakers were unable to continue and withdrew from the race. The final pacemaker, Josphat Boit, led Kipchoge through the half-way point in 1:01:06 before dropping out at 25 kilometres, covered in 1:12:24.

Kipsang and Kipruto reached the half way point in 1:02:07, more than a minute adrift of Kipchoge. Abera was starting to struggle and was a further 18 seconds behind the chasing duo at half way and eventually pulled out.

Running alone with 17 kilometres left, Kipchoge then sped up.

Although 30 kilometres is no longer an official world record event, Kipchoge's 1:26:45 split at that checkpoint is the fastest time ever recorded for the distance.

He then passed the 35-kilometre checkpoint just a shade outside 1:41:00, suggesting a finishing time inside 2:02 was possible. By 40 kilometres, reached in 1:55:32, a world record looked a certainty.

Further behind, Kipruto had shaken off the challenge of Kipsang and was clear in second place. He trailed Kipchoge by nearly two minutes at 30km and the gap had almost doubled to three minutes and 42 seconds by 40 kilometres.

Eliud Kipchoge after winning the Berlin Marathon

Kipchoge maintained his form well in the closing stages and crossed the finish line in 2:01:39, taking one minute and 18 seconds off the previous world record set four years ago by Dennis Kimetto and having covered the second half of the race in 1:00:33.

It is the largest single improvement on the marathon world record since Derek Clayton improved the mark by two minutes and 23 seconds in 1967.

"I lack the words to describe how I feel," said Kipchoge, who won in Berlin in 2015 and 2017. "It was really hard [during the last 17 kilometres] but I was truly prepared to run my own race. I had to focus on the work I had put in in Kenya and that is what helped push me.

"It was my aim to smash the world record and I felt confident before the race," he added. "I’ve now run 2:04, 2:03 and now 2:01. Who knows what the future will bring?

"I’m really grateful to my coaching team, my management, the organisation. I’ll definitely return to Berlin. Berlin for me is eternal."

Kipruto finished a distant second in 2:06:23 while Kipsang held on for third place in 2:06:48.

Having held off the early fast pace, Japan's Shogo Nakamura was rewarded with a PB of 2:08:16 in fourth place. World half marathon record-holder Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea also took a couple of minutes off his lifetime best, clocking 2:08:46 for fifth place.

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Today the 16th of September 2018, I ran a world record in Berlin, it couldn’t happen without the support of the following: My gratitude and honor goes to: 1. My family I thank my wife (Grace) and my kids (Lynne, Griffin and Jordon) for the overwhelming support they gave me for the last 4 months of training, you always inspire me and you are my ignition key. 2. Coaches My coach Patrick Sang is my all-time coach and supporter, he is my life coach not forgetting his two assistants (Meto and Koech). You made this day realizable. 3. Global Sports Communication This is a wonderful management, led by director Jos Hermens and Valentijn Trouw, and all entire team, you are such a wonderful management company. 4. Nike Nike company led by Phil Knight and sports marketing Capriotti, not forgetting the innovation and design team. On the other hand the physiologists led by Brett Kirby, thank you for the support for over 15 years. 5. NN Running Team You are such a wonderful team and the spirit of bringing teammates to the sports is overwhelming. 6. My training mates Kaptagat team, you are such a wonderful family, I like you all, I wish everybody all the best in the coming races. Cheers brothers and sisters, teamwork is the key. 7. Isuzu company It’s a wonderful local and international car manufacturer, you gave me another leg to train on by providing all my transport. I will always be with you. Tuko Pamoja Safarini. 8. My fans I totally respect all my fans across the globe, from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all social media. You always push me ahead. In one word ‘Thank you’ all and God bless you all.

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Third triumph for Cherono

Gladys Cherono made it a Kenyan double by winning the women's race in a course record of 2:18:11.

Multiple world and Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba fronted the lead pack of five women during the early stages. Followed by Cherono, Ruti Aga, Edna Kiplagat and Helen Tola, Dibaba led the quintet through five kilometres in 16:27 and 10 kilometres in 32:44, suggesting a finishing time of about 2:18.

By half way, reached in 1:09:03, Dibaba had opened up a gap of seven seconds on her four opponents. It didn't last long, though, as Dibaba started to struggle a few kilometres later, allowing Cherono to move into pole position.

The five women were strung out at 25 kilometres with Cherono at the front, hitting that checkpoint in 1:21:51. Aga then followed, a couple of strides ahead of Dibaba. Kiplagat was a few seconds behind with Tola further back.

Aga ran with Cherono for a few more kilometres before the 35-year-old Kenyan pulled away again, this time for good.

Gladys Cherono wins the Berlin Marathon

Cherono, the winner in Berlin in 2015 and 2017, successfully defended her title in 2:18:11, taking more than a minute off the course record set 13 years ago by Japan's Mizuki Noguchi.

"When I attacked and overtook Tirunesh, I felt confident I would win," said Cherono, the 2014 world half-marathon champion.

Aga followed 23 seconds later to take second place in 2:18:34 while Dibaba held on for third place in 2:18:55. It was the first marathon in history in which three women finished inside 2:19.

Kiplagat, the two-time world champion, finished fourth in 2:21:18, the 38-year-old's fastest time since 2014.

Contesting just her second marathon, Japan's Mizuki Matsuda ran an impressively even-paced race and was rewarded with a PB of 2:22:23 in fifth, having overtaken Tola in the closing stages.

IAAF

*Subject to the usual ratification procedure

Leading results

Men
1 Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:01:39
2 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:06:23
3 Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:06:48
4 Shogo Nakamura (JPN) 2:08:16
5 Zersenay Tadese (ERI) 2:08:46
6 Yuki Sato (JPN) 2:09:18
7 Okubay Tsegay (ERI) 2:09:56
8 Daisuke Uekado (JPN) 2:11:07
9 Wily Canchanya (PER) 2:12:57
10 Bart van Nunen (NED) 2:13:09

Women
1 Gladys Cherono (KEN) 2:18:11
2 Ruti Aga (ETH) 2:18:34
3 Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) 2:18:55
4 Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:21:18
5 Mizuki Matsuda (JPN) 2:22:23
6 Helen Tola (ETH) 2:22:48
7 Honami Maeda (JPN) 2:25:23
8 Carla Salome Rocha (POR) 2:25:27
9 Miyuki Uehara (JPN) 2:25:46
10 Rei Ohara (JPN) 2:27:29

Kipchoge breaks marathon world record in Berlin with stunning 2:01:39 | REPORT | World Athletics (2025)

FAQs

Kipchoge breaks marathon world record in Berlin with stunning 2:01:39 | REPORT | World Athletics? ›

On a still, sun-bleached morning, Kipchoge obliterated the world record, crossing the finish line in a mind-boggling time of 2:01:39. He was almost dethroned on the same streets a year later when Ethiopia's Kenenesa Bekele ran 2:01:41, becoming the second man under the 2:02 barrier under race conditions.

What was Kipchoge's world record for the Berlin Marathon? ›

On 16 September, Kipchoge won the 2018 Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:01:39, breaking the previous world record by 1 minute and 18 seconds (2:02:57 set by fellow countryman Dennis Kimetto at the Berlin Marathon in 2014).

What was Eliud Kipchoge's pace per mile? ›

He ran at a 4:35 per mile pace (the record for one mile is 3:43 and he kept the pace 26x) or 2:50 per km pace (he did it 42x and each kilometre was within 2:48 to 2:52). That means he was running faster than most people can sprint for a short distance, and he did it for almost two hours straight.

How much will Kipchoge earn in Berlin Marathon? ›

This means Kipchoge will get Sh7. 3 million. In total, he will get more owing to sponsorship deals and participation charges. Athletes who finished second will pocket $25,500 (Sh 3.7 million) while those in third place will receive $12,500 (Sh 1.8 million).

Who is Eliud Kipchoge's wife? ›

Part of Eliud Kipchoge's #fastfamily are his wife, Grace, and their children Lynne, Griffin, and Gordon. Eliud describes them as his “ignition key" and they play a huge role in his career. 🧡 Read more about them via.

Why is the Berlin Marathon so fast? ›

It's a seriously fast – and flat – 26.2-mile race. The wonderfully wide roads make overtaking possible and the weather conditions tend to be optimal for achieving a PB, with the average temperature sitting around 14°C.

What is the men's marathon record? ›

The current world record time for men over the distance is 2 hours and 35 seconds, set in the Chicago Marathon by the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya on 8 October 2023. The world record for women was set by Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia in the Berlin Marathon on 24 September 2023, in 2 hours 11 minutes and 53 seconds.

Why is Eliud Kipchoge so fast? ›

Kipchoge's Breaking2 training plan

"Preseason, Eliud did gym aerobics for one month," Kirby says. "Then, his weekly training included a track workout, a hard, long run, and a fartlek workout with progressive and easy runs mixed in-between." Kipchoge needed to ramp up his speed to hit the target pace of 2:50min/km.

What was Kipchoge's average speed? ›

Kipchoge completed the challenge with an official time of 1:59:40.2, an average speed of 5.88 metres per second (21.2 km/h; 13.2 mph).

Is Eliud Kipchoge a Millionaire? ›

As of 2024, Kipchoge's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million USD, though exact figures can vary.

How much does Eliud Kipchoge run everyday? ›

Kipchoge's routine totals up to 220km a week, in which he only pushes hard about 15-20 per cent of his training time. The world record holder is careful not to overtrain as that can lead to burn out or injuries.

How much money does Eliud Kipchoge make? ›

Kipchoge's wealth is estimated by various reports to be at $3million (£2.4m). Bolt, who retired in 2019, is valued at a whopping $90m (£70.9m). The Kenyan runner is currently making around £45,000 per event, according to Sports Brief.

Is Eliud Kipchoge humble? ›

He and Grace met through her brother Amos - one of Kipchoge's best friends. It was his "silent and humble" qualities that attracted her.

How heavy is Eliud Kipchoge? ›

What is the Berlin Marathon Guinness world record? ›

History. Eliud Kipchoge running world record (2:01:09) at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. His 4th of record 5 wins.

How rich is Eliud Kipchoge? ›

Kipchoge's wealth is estimated by various reports to be at $3million (£2.4m). Bolt, who retired in 2019, is valued at a whopping $90m (£70.9m).

What happened to Eliud Kipchoge in the Tokyo marathon? ›

Eliud Kipchoge's preparations for the Paris Olympics suffered a major blow as the greatest runner in history over 26.2 miles could only finish 10th in the Tokyo Marathon.

Will Kipchoge participate in Berlin Marathon? ›

Kipchoge has opted to return to the familiar Berlin course as the 'perfect preparation' for the Games. That makes sense as the Olympic Marathon in Paris will also be run on an equally flat course.

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