Earlier today, Kelvin Kiptum ran 2:00:35 at the Chicago Marathon, becoming the first person in history to go under 2:01 on a record-eligible course. Here are a few fun facts in the wake of Kiptum’s mark.
Kiptum’s average pace per mile: 4:36.0
Kiptum’s average pace per 5K: 14:17.3
Kiptum’s average pace for one lap of a standard outdoor track: 68.58 seconds
Kiptum’s time at halfway: 60:48
Kiptum’s split for his second half marathon: 59:47
Number of Americans who have run faster than 59:47 for a half marathon on a record-eligible course: 1 (Ryan Hall’s U.S. record is 59:43)
Average of Kiptum’s three career marathons: 2:01:17
Number of people who have run one marathon faster than Kiptum’s three-marathon career average on a record-eligible course: 1 (Eliud Kipchoge)
Amount by which Kiptum broke Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record of 2:01:09: 34 seconds
Amount by which the men’s world record has fallen since Kiptum was born on December 2, 1999: 5:07
Distance covered at Kiptum’s world record pace in 5:07: 1.11 miles
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Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including Running Is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and Meb for Mortals. Scott has also written about running for Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.
