For years, running 26.2 miles in under 2 hours had been
deemed an impossible task. The fastest marathon ever run was 2:01:39, an
accomplishment achieved by Eliud Kipchoge. Although he had previously attempted
to break a 2-hour marathon, he was unable to achieve this incredible feat.
Until October 12, 2019. In Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge ran the
fastest ever marathon, clocking in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40
seconds. Shattering records, expectations, and beliefs of what was possible,
Kipchoge astonished and inspired millions with this race.
When asked about this incredible race, Kipchoge says,
“Personally, I don’t believe in limits. My mind was clear. From the first
kilometer to the last kilometer, I knew I had it.” Kipchoge wanted to inspire
and motivate people, saying, “I’m sending a message to every individual in this
world that when you work hard, when you actually concentrate, when you set your
priorities high, when you actually set your goals, and put them in your heart
and in your mind and in your mind, you will accomplish, without any question.” Setting
out to run 26.2 miles in under two hours is a goal that nearly forces Kipchoge
to refuse belief in limits. The human body was thought physically incapable of
achieving this, but Kipchoge wanted to defy that belief. His goal was not only
creative, but truly baffling.
Kipchoge had a goal, and he followed through. Even after
initial failure, he continued to persevere to achieve his goal, refusing to
give up, no matter how impossible the task seemed. His motivation was both
intrinsic, in that he wanted to accomplish this goal to prove to himself that
he was capable, to show that he had no limits, but it was also extrinsic.
Kipchoge wanted to motivate others, to show the world, in addition to himself,
that no human is limited. He was motivated by the idea of being limitless, and
he wanted to prove to the world that anyone can accomplish what they set out to
do through enough hard work and focus. This race, due to the way it was
organized and structured with his pacers, pace car, and idealized conditions,
was not considered a world record. Kipchoge was not running solely to gain fame
and get his name in a hall of fame by shattering Official World Records. He
truly was motivated by the idea of showing the world that there are no limits
to what a human can accomplish. This astonishing feat has already motivated
thousands of people, including those who ran the Chicago Marathon the day after
Kipchoge ran the first sub-2-hour marathon. Spectators cheering on the Chicago
runners held signs that said, “No human is limited,” or “1:59:40” as a reminder
of Kipchoge’s phenomenal achievement and the capability of the Chicago
Marathoners to finish the race.
Kipchoge wanted his sub-2-hour marathon to be surrounded by
people. His creative process involves running best with an abundance of noise
and cheering around him and grinning periodically throughout the race to shake
up the process and break through the monotony and pain of his speed and focus.
He wanted people there to cheer and celebrate, to encourage him throughout the 2-hour
run.
This ties into the collaboration that Kipchoge utilized
throughout the actual race itself. On October 12, Kipchoge ran with a group of
pacers surrounding him. Five of these pacers ran in front of Eliud, forming a
V-shape which helped to take the bulk of the wind, giving Kipchoge a smooth and
still run. Two runners behind Kipchoge help push him along and create “optimal
flow” around him. This is an important illustration of how Kipchoge’s shocking
performance during this marathon was not achieved on his own. The support of a
nutritionist, thousands of fans surrounding him to cheer him on, and his group
of pacers all helped him achieve the unbelievable sub-2-hour marathon this month.
Kipchoge chose to take on the challenge of the impossible.
He defied standards and records, overwhelmed the world, and accomplished
something unbelievable, demonstrating to the world that absolutely no one is
limited.
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