These are the 10 fastest men to ever run a marathon

The epic distance
Top 10
1. Kelvin Kiptum
2:00:35
Passed away
2. Eliud Kipchoge
2:01:09
3. Kenenisa Bekele
2:01:41
4. Birhanu Legese
2:02:48
5. Mosinet Geremew
2:02:55
6. Dennis Kimetto
2:02:57
7. Titus Ekiru
2:02:57
8. Evans Chebet
2:03:00
9. Gabriel Geay
2:03:00
10. Lawrence Cherono
2:03:04
The epic distance

The marathon is the most epic distance in athletics, with roots dating back to the ancient Greeks. Runners have got faster and faster over the 42.195km (26 mi, 385 yd) course, but who exactly are the fastest men in history?

Top 10

Runners's World has compiled a top 10 of the world's fastest marathon runners ever. Ready? Go!

1. Kelvin Kiptum

Kelvin Kiptum wrote his name into history books in 2023, running the fastest-ever marathon.

2:00:35

Kiptum needed just 2:00:35 to cover the full distance, with a stunning pace of 4:36.0 per mile, as calculated by Marathon Handbook.

Passed away

He was considered a serious contender to run the first sub 2-hour marathon, but tragically died on 11 February 2024 in a car accident in Kenya, as reported by the BBC. Kiptum was only 24 years old.

2. Eliud Kipchoge

In doing so, he broke the world record by legend and compatriot Eliud Kipchoge.

2:01:09

The Kenyan set this time in Berlin in 2022, where he ran 2:01:09, according to World Athletics.

3. Kenenisa Bekele

Next on our list is another legend, Kenenisa Bekele.

2:01:41

The Ethiopian ran 2:01:41 in Berlin in 2019, which was "the second fastest marathon ever," as per World Athletics.

4. Birhanu Legese

In fourth place is Ethiopian compatriot Birhanu Legese.

2:02:48

Legese also set his best time in 2019 in Berlin with 2:02:48, as recorded by Watch Athletics.

5. Mosinet Geremew

In fifth place is another Ethiopian, Mosinet Geremew.

2:02:55

He needed 2:02:55 to cover the marathon distance, a time set in London in 2019, per the official London Marathon website.

6. Dennis Kimetto

Next up is Kenyan Dennis Kimetto.

2:02:57

Kimetto ran his best time ever in Berlin in 2014, with 2:02:57, World Athletics reported after the event.

7. Titus Ekiru

That is the same best time as compatriot Titus Ekiru.

2:02:57

Ekiru, however, did it in Milan in 2021, according to official Watch Athletics results.

8. Evans Chebet

Just behind Kimetto and Ekiru we find Evans Chebet.

2:03:00

Chebet needed just three seconds more, good for a best time of 2:03:00, which he set in 2020 in Valencia, according to World Athletics.

9. Gabriel Geay

In ninth place, we find the only non-Kenyan and non-Ethiopian in our list, Gabriel Geay.

2:03:00

Like Chebet, Geay's top time is 2:03:00, a personal best he ran at Valencia in 2022, as per Spanish newspaper Marca.

10. Lawrence Cherono

Closing our list, is Lawrence Cherono.

2:03:04

The Kenyan recorded his personal best, 2:03:04, in Valencia in 2020, according to Spanish newspaper SPORT.

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