Boston's record-shattering marathon winner: By the numbers

Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai runs 26.2 miles in a breathtaking two hours, three minutes, and two seconds. A statistical look at his historic achievement

Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai completed the Boston Marathon Monday in 2 hours, three minutes, and two seconds, which was just four seconds faster than the second-place finisher.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Monday was a record-setting day for America's oldest and most prestigious marathon. Geoffrey Mutai ran the Boston Marathon in a blazingly fast time of two hours, three minutes, and two seconds, the fastest time in recorded human history. Blessed with ideal running conditions — temperatures in the high 40s, favorable wind, and low humidity — the 29-year old Kenyan smashed the Boston course record by more than three minutes. There's a catch, though. Because Boston's marathon route slopes downhill and is not circular enough, the International Association of Athletics Federation does not count it as an official course — so Mutai's time is not technically a world record. Here's a look at the Kenyan's historic race, by the numbers:

2 hours, 3 minutes, and 2 seconds

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us