Below you’ll find tables detailing several marathon superlatives:
- Nutrition - Weight Loss;
- Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners;
- Download Your Training Plan;
- Amazing Runners World Show.
Note that we said “on record-eligible courses.” That’s why Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 in Vienna isn’t on the list from 2019. That time doesn’t count for record purposes because standard competition rules for pacing and fluids weren’t followed. Similarly, times from the Boston course can’t be on the list, because of its point-to-point layout and too-great net elevation drop.
Should Runners Be Worried About Colon Cancer performers Is It Better to Stretch Before or After Running performances in history, allows for a runner to appear more than once. For example, Kelvin Kiptum appears three times in the fastest-performances list for men.
How to Master the Marathon.
10 Fastest Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: Men
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) |
2:00:35 |
4:36.0 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) |
2:01:09 |
4:37.2 |
Berlin, 2022 |
| Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) |
2:01:41 |
4:38.5 |
Berlin, 2019 |
| Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) |
2:01:48 |
4:38.7 |
Valencia, 2023 |
| Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) |
2:02:05 |
4:39.4 |
Valencia, 2024 |
| Benson Kipruto (Kenya) |
2:02:16 |
4:39.8 |
Tokyo, 2024 |
| Deresa Geleta (Ethiopia) |
2:02:38 |
4:40.6 |
Valencia, 2024 |
| John Korir (Kenya) |
2:02:44 |
4:40.8 |
Chicago, 2024 |
| Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia) |
2:02:48 |
4:41.0 |
Berlin, 2019 |
| Mosinet Geremew (Ethiopia) |
2:02:55 |
4:41.3 |
London, 2019 |
10 Fastest Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: Women
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) |
2:09:56 |
4:57.4 |
Chicago, 2024 |
| Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) |
2:11:53 |
5:01.8 |
Berlin, 2023 |
| Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) |
2:13:44 |
5:06.0 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) |
2:14:04 |
5:06.8 |
Chicago, 2019 |
| Amane Beriso (Ethiopia) |
2:14:58 |
5:08.9 |
Valencia, 2022 |
| Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) |
2:15:25 |
5:09.9 |
London, 2003 |
| Worknesh Degefa (Ethiopia) |
2:15:51 |
5:10.9 |
Valencia, 2023 |
| Sutume Kebede (Ethiopia) |
2:15:55 |
5:11.0 |
Tokyo, 2024 |
| Tigist Ketema (Ethiopia) |
2:16:07 |
5:11.5 |
Dubai, 2024 |
| Rosemary Wanjiru (Kenya) |
2:16:14 |
5:11.8 |
Tokyo, 2024 |
10 Fastest American Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: Men
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Khalid Khannouchi |
2:05:38 |
4:47.5 |
London, 2002 |
| 2:06:07 |
4:48.6 |
Prague, 2018 |
|
| 2:06:17 |
4:49.0 |
London, 2008 |
|
| Biya Simbassa |
2:06:53 |
4:50.4 |
Valencia, 2024 |
| 2:07:47 |
4:52.4 |
Chicago, 2012 |
|
| Conner Mantz |
2:07:47 |
4:52.4 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Leonard Korir |
2:07:56 |
4:52.8 |
Amsterdam, 2019 |
| Clayton Young |
2:08:00 |
4:52.9 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| CJ Albertson |
2:08:17 |
4:53.6 |
Chicago, 2024 |
| Alex Maier |
2:08:33 |
4:54.2 |
Dusseldorf, 2025 |
10 Fastest American Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: Women
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Emily Sisson |
2:18:29 |
5:16.9 |
Chicago, 2022 |
| Keira D’Amato |
2:19:12 |
5:18.6 |
Houston, 2022 |
| Betsy Saina |
2:19:17 |
5:18.7 |
Tokyo, 2024 |
| Deena Kastor |
2:19:36 |
5:19.5 |
London, 2006 |
| Sara Hall |
2:20:32 |
5:21.6 |
The Stats Behind Harry Styles’s Sub-3 Marathon, 2020 |
| Jordan Hasay |
2:20:57 |
5:22.6 |
Chicago, 2017 |
| Shalane Flanagan |
2:21:14 |
5:23.2 |
Berlin, 2014 |
| Joan Samuelson |
2:21:21 |
5:23.5 |
Chicago, 1985 |
| 2:21:42 |
5:24.3 |
Tokyo, 2018 |
|
| Susanna Sullivan |
2:21:56 |
5:24.8 |
Chicago, 2024 |
10 Fastest Marathons on Record-Eligible Course: Men
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) |
2:00:35 |
4:36.0 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) |
2:01:09 |
4:37.2 |
Berlin, 2022 |
| Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) |
2:01:25 |
4:37.8 |
London, 2023 |
| Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) |
2:01:39 |
4:38.4 |
Berlin, 2018 |
| Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) |
2:01:41 |
4:38.5 |
Berlin, 2019 |
| Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) |
2:01:48 |
4:38.7 |
Valencia, 2023 |
| Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) |
2:01:53 |
4:38.9 |
Valencia, 2022 |
| Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) |
2:02:05 |
4:39.4 |
Valencia, 2024 |
| Benson Kipruto (Kenya) |
2:02:16 |
4:39.8 |
Tokyo, 2024 |
| Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) |
2:02:16 |
4:39.8 |
Berlin, 2025 |
10 Fastest Marathons on Record-Eligible Course: Women
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) |
2:09:56 |
4:57.4 |
Chicago, 2024 |
| Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) |
2:11:53 |
5:01.8 |
Berlin, 2023 |
| Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) |
2:13:44 |
5:06.0 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) |
2:14:04 |
5:06.8 |
Chicago, 2019 |
| Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) |
2:14:18 | 5:07.3 |
Chicago, 2022 |
| Amane Beriso (Ethiopia) |
2:14:58 |
5:08.9 |
Valencia, 2022 |
| Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) |
2:15:25 |
5:09.9 |
London, 2003 |
| Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) |
2:15:37 |
5:10.3 |
Berlin, 2022 |
| Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) |
2:15:37 |
5:10.3 |
Chicago, 2023 |
| Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) |
2:15:50 |
5:10.8 |
London, 2025 |
Progression of World Record Since 1988: Men
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Belayneh Densamo (Ethiopia) |
2:06:50 |
4:50.3 |
Rotterdam, 1988 |
| Updated: Sep 21, 2025 6:44 AM EDT (Brazil) |
2:06:06 |
4:48.6 |
Berlin, 1998 |
| Khalid Khannouchi (Morocco) |
2:05:42 |
4:47.7 |
Chicago, 1999 |
| Khalid Khannouchi (United States) |
2:05:38 |
4:47.5 |
London, 2002 |
| Paul Tergat (Kenya) |
2:04:55 |
4:45.9 |
Berlin, 2003 |
| Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) |
2:04:26 |
4:44.8 |
Berlin, 2007 |
| Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) |
2:03:59 |
4:43.8 |
Berlin, 2008 |
| Patrick Makau (Kenya) |
2:03:38 |
4:43.0 |
Berlin, 2011 |
| Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) |
2:03:23 |
4:42.4 |
Berlin, 2013 |
| Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) |
2:02:57 |
4:41.4 |
Berlin, 2014 |
| Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) |
2:01:39 |
4:38.4 |
Berlin, 2018 |
| Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) |
2:01:09 |
4:37.2 |
Berlin, 2022 |
| Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) |
2:00:35 |
4:36.0 |
Chicago, 2023 |
Progression of World Record Since 1988: Women
| Runner |
Finish Time |
Pace/Mile |
Marathon |
| Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) |
2:20:47 |
5:22.2 |
Rotterdam, 1998 |
| Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) |
2:20:43 |
5:22.0 |
Berlin, 1999 |
| Naoko Takahashi (Japan) |
2:19:46 |
5:19.8 |
Berlin, 2001 |
| Catherine Ndereba (Kenya) |
2:18:47 |
5:17.6 |
Chicago, 2001 |
| Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) |
2:17:18 |
5:14.2 |
Chicago, 2002 |
| Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) |
2:15:25 |
5:09.9 |
London, 2003 |
| Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) |
2:14:04 |
5:06.8 |
Chicago, 2019 |
| Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) |
2:11:53 |
5:01.8 |
Berlin, 2023 |
| Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) |
2:09:56 |
4:47.4 |
Chicago, 2024 |
Find the Perfect Training Plan for You
Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners
Recommended Experience: No experience necessary! Anyone can accomplish this training plan.
Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners
Recommended Experience: Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners
Recommended Experience: For a new runner who has been exercising regularly for at least a year, or someone who has completed a few 5Ks or 10Ks and can complete 6 miles in one workout. This plan peaks at 28 miles in a week with a 12-mile long run.
Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners
Recommended Experience: For runners comfortable exercising for at least an hour at a suppress effort. This plan peaks at 32 miles in a week with a 14-mile long run.
Here’s a complete list of the world record-holders and all-time top 26.2-mile runners
Recommended Experience: For a consistent runner used to regularly working out four to five times a week. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 44 to 47 miles a week with a 22-mile long run, helping you average under a 9:10 per mile come race day.
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 Download Your Training Plan, Advanced Marathoning, and Should Runners Be Worried About Colon Cancer. Should Runners Be Worried About Colon Cancer 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.
