Two of the fastest, most ground-breaking marathon courses
In every sport there are records. Ground-breaking, historic times or distances that were once considered impossible to beat. The world of running has watched astonishing athletes break barriers for years.
Out of all our events around the world, two stand out as the fastest. While it’s never possible to guarantee a record-breaking performance, entering these two races might just give you the best chance.
Men’s World Record Time: 2:01:39, by Eliud Kipchoge (September 19, 2018)
The Berlin Marathon had just 286 starters and fewer than 250 finishers when is first stared in 1974. Founded by local baker Horst Milde, the race took place in the Grunewald Forest on the outskirts of Berlin. Far from the fiercely competitive race it is now, 2:44:53 was enough to win the day at that inaugural edition.
More recently, the BMW Berlin Marathon has cemented its reputation as a blisteringly fast course. The course is flat and traffic free making it the perfect place to set your PB. The marathon world-record has tumbled an astonishing 11 times in Berlin, including Eliud Kipchoge’s current best of 2:01:39 in 2018. He ran the most evenly paced marathon splits ever recorded (just 19 seconds separating his slowest 14:37 and his fastest 14:18, 5-kilometre split).
Women’s World Record Time: 2:14:04, by Brigid Kosgei (October 13, 2019)
Autumn 2022 is set to be MAJOR season as far as marathon running is concerned. The Chicago Marathon is flat and fast—so fast, in fact, that five world-records have fallen. Each year the marathon welcomes thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class elite field competing alongside debut marathoners and charity participants.
Running conditions are near perfect, as evidence by Brigid Kosgei’s record-breaking 2019 run. victory. The Kenyan’s time of 2:14:04 obliterated Paula Radcliffe’s world record in 2002 of 2:17:18.
We’re still buzzing 1 week on from the NYC Half Marathon!🏃🗽 @nyrr
The route delivered an impressive 13 mile tour of the Big Apple, through the concrete jungle of Brooklyn & Manhattan & past NYC’s most iconic sights & landmarks, including through Times Square🙌
#UnitedNYCHalfpic.twitter.com/g29vLLDA2l
Congratulations to all of our NYC Half Marathon finishers!👏🏅🗽
It was unseasonably cold in the Big Apple yesterday, however our runners showed pure resilience as they conquered the 13.1 mile journey from Brooklyn to Manhattan🏅🍎 @nyrr#UnitedNYCHalf#NYCHalf#NYCHalfMarathonpic.twitter.com/hJmcFRNoSx