A farmer's son that broke world record

How Eliud Kipchoge went from farmer's son to two hour marathon champion.

Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge just became the first person in history to finish a marathon in under 2 hours. 

   

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon world record holder, crosses the finish line during his attempt to run a marathon in under two hours in Vienna, Austria, October 12, 2019. 

Eliud Kipchoge just ran a marathon in 1:59:40.

The Kenyan is the first person in history to run a marathon in under two hours.

It's the biggest milestone in long-distance running since Sir Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile at the 1952 Olympics.

He does hold the official record already, though, after running 2:01:39 in the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya just became the first person in history to run a marathon in under two hours.

Kipchoge ran 26.2 miles in 1:59:40 at the Ineos Challenge in Vienna, Austria on Saturday.

"I am feeling good. After Roger Bannister in 1954 it took another 63 years, I tried and I did not get it - 65 years, I am the first man - I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited," the runner told the BBC after the marathon.

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Kipchoge was 10 seconds ahead of schedule at the halfway mark, where after he slowed slightly but never ran a kilometer slower than 2:52 throughout the race.

The course in Vienna was specially chosen for its favorable running conditions - there was just 2.4 meters of incline over the entire route.

The 34-years-old was supported by a rotating team of 41 pacesetters and a pace car that beamed lasers onto the road.

He was also handed drinks and energy gels from a bike every 3.1 miles.

These conditions mean Kipchoge's time will not stand as an official record as they do not conform to IAAF rules.

Kipchoge does hold the official record already, though, after running 2:01:39 in the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

He previously attempted the sub-two-hour marathon in 2017 at the Monza grand prix circuit in Italy, as part of Nike's Breaking2 project, but failed by just 25 seconds.

This man was once a farmer's son but today a Marathon race pacesetter. It doesn't matter who your father was or is, it doesn't matter where you come from, you too can be a record breaker and make history that will change your generation's history. Set the pace!