Eliud Kipchoge runs 1:59:40.2 marathon: Twitter reacts to sporting history

Eliud Kipchoge has made sporting history by becoming the first athlete to run a marathon in less than two hours.

The Kenyan completed the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in one hour 59 minutes 40.2 seconds in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.

Although the time makes running history, it will not be recognised as a new world record because it was not in open competition and he used a team of rotating pacemakers, the BBC reports.

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The 34-year-old currently holds the world record for the 26.2-mile distance - 2:01:39 set in Berlin last year.

The reigning Olympic and London Marathon champion previously attempted to break the sub-two-hour mark in 2017 but missed out by 25 seconds. However, his attempt on Saturday saw the athletics legend complete the feat with 20 seconds to spare.

Speaking on the finish line Kipchoge said: “I am feeling good. After Roger Bannister in 1954 [four-minute mile] it took another 63 years, I tried and I did not get it - 65 years, I am the first man - I want to inspire many people, that no human is limited.

“Absolutely remember the 41 pacemakers are among the best athletes ever in the world. I can say thank you to them, I appreciate them for accepting and together we made history on this one.

“We can make this world a beautiful world and a peaceful world. My wife and three children, I am happy for them to come and witness history.

“The positively of sport, I want to make it a clean sport and an interesting sport.”

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How the sporting world reacted on Twitter