Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge’s historic feat at “INEOS 1:59 Challenge” in Vienna, Austria can only enter the Guinness Book of World Records but not recognised as a world marathon record.
However, Kipchoge, who made history as the first man to run a marathon under two hours, clocking 1:59:40 in Vienna, is still the World Marathon Record holder in a time of 2:01:39 set in last year's Berlin Marathon.
Several factors are considered by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) for a time or distance in a particular event to be ratified as a World Record.
A particular course or route and stadium must be certified and rated by IAAF measurers to qualify and more so, an event should have at last three competitors for results to stand.
In Kipchoge’s case, the “INEOS 1:59 Challenge” was a controlled race that wasn’t sanctioned by IAAF. Kipchoge was also racing against time (the clock) and nobody else.
While pacesetters are allowed both on track and road racing events, IAAF has a control over them. The 41 pacesetters, who supported Kipchoge came in-and-out in turns hence not allowed in IAAF events.
