The marathon world record represents the very limit of human endurance. From the first Olympic Games to the feats of Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge, running 42.195 kilometres has become a test of precision, strategy, and mindset. In this article, we’ll walk you through the history, the most recent records, and the paces that define the world’s running elite.
The marathon is one of athletics’ most iconic events. Its official distance, 42.195 km, was set at the 1908 London Olympic Games, when it was decided that the race would start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box at London’s Olympic Stadium. Ever since, that number has stood for endurance and personal achievement.
Its origin goes back to Ancient Greece: the soldier Pheidippides ran from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. That feat, which cost him his life, symbolises the spirit of effort that inspires millions of runners around the world.
The six most prestigious races make up the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a circuit every runner dreams of completing. Those who finish all six earn the Six Star Finisher medal, a symbol of consistency and passion for running.
On 8 October 2023, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum stopped the clock at 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon, setting the marathon world record. At just 23, his aggressive racing style and exceptional endurance made him a legendary figure. His death in February 2024 shocked the sporting world.
Before Kiptum, the king of the marathon was Eliud Kipchoge. In 2019, he delivered the historic INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, completing 42.195 km in 1:59:40 and becoming the first human to break the two-hour barrier. Although it wasn’t an official record due to the event conditions, his motto changed everything:
No human is limited.
That day, he was supported by elite athletes such as the Ingebrigtsen brothers, showing that limits exist to be challenged.
The women’s marathon world record currently belongs to Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, who on 14 September 2025 became champion at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, held at the National Stadium. Jepchirchir stopped the clock at 2:24:43, achieving the best time in the world under championship conditions and reaffirming her absolute dominance over the distance.
With this result, the Kenyan athlete—already Olympic champion in Tokyo 2021 and winner of the Boston and New York marathons—confirms her status as one of the most complete and consistent marathon runners in history.
Her victory in Japan was a milestone not only because of the time, but also because of her consistency and her ability to shine both in the majors and in top-level championship races.
The current Spanish marathon record stands at 2:05:48, held by Tariku Novales. The Galician athlete set this historic mark at the 2023 Valencia Marathon, beating the previous record—set by Ayad Lamdassem in 2022—by 37 seconds. With this result, Novales became the first Spaniard to break the 2:06 barrier, confirming the high level of Spanish distance running.
In the women’s category, the Spanish marathon record belongs to Majida Maayouf Chajra, who stopped the clock at 2:21:27 at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. Close behind is Laura Luengo Caselles, who posted an excellent 2:22:31 in Valencia 2024, confirming the rise of Spanish women’s marathon running over the 42.195 km distance.
The half marathon world record was broken on 16 February 2025 at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo stopped the clock at 56:42—an impressive performance that lowered his own previous best and cemented Barcelona as one of the fastest courses in the world. The women’s half marathon world record is 1 hour, 2 minutes and 52 seconds, set by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey on 24 October 2021 at the Valencia Half Marathon. This record broke the previous mark of 1:04:02 by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich.
The marathon world record and the half marathon record are more than just numbers; they tell a story of effort, evolution, and humanity. From Pheidippides to Kipchoge, Kiptum, Kiplimo, or Laura Luengo, the marathon represents the timeless pursuit of the impossible. Ready to write your own story? Discover how to do it with Buddy Pacer.
