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What's the marathon world record pace

The marathon is a grueling test of endurance, requiring runners to complete 26.2 miles in a single race. Over the years, the world record for the marathon has been pushed to new heights by some of the greatest runners in history. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the current world record marathon pace and how it compares to the average runner.

The current men's world record for the marathon is held by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, who ran the Berlin Marathon in 2018 in a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds. This incredible feat shattered the previous world record by over a minute and a half, and it is the first time in history that a runner has completed a marathon in under 2 hours and 2 minutes.

To put Kipchoge's record-breaking performance into perspective, his average pace was an astonishing 4 minutes and 38 seconds per mile. That means he ran each mile in less than 5 minutes, for a total of 26.2 miles. It's hard to fathom running a single mile at that pace, let alone maintaining it for over 26 miles.

The women's world record for the marathon is held by Brigid Kosgei of Kenya, who ran the Chicago Marathon in 2019 in a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 4 seconds. Kosgei's average pace was just over 5 minutes and 6 seconds per mile, which is still incredibly fast and requires an immense amount of training and endurance.

It's important to note that the world record marathon pace is far beyond what the average runner is capable of. According to data from the Running USA State of the Sport report, the average pace for a marathon finisher in the United States is just over 11 minutes per mile. This means that the average runner would take over 4 and a half hours to complete a marathon, while Kipchoge finished in just over 2 hours.

So, why do elite runners like Kipchoge and Kosgei run at such an incredible pace? The answer lies in the combination of intense training, exceptional genetics, and a mindset that pushes them to their limits. These runners devote their lives to the sport, putting in countless hours of training, following strict diets, and focusing on every aspect of their performance to shave off even a few seconds from their times.

In conclusion, the world record marathon pace is an incredible achievement that requires immense talent, hard work, and dedication. Runners like Kipchoge and Kosgei have pushed the limits of what is possible, inspiring others to strive for their own personal bests. While most runners may never come close to the world record pace, the marathon is still a challenging and rewarding event that offers a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for all who participate.