Legend has it that the official marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards originated in ancient Greece. The length was derived from a mythical story about an army messenger, Pheidippides, who lived in 490 B.C. and had to race 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens to inform the Greeks about their win over Persia. Although his time was not recorded, and today’s runners don’t have a message to relay, there is one thing that they are trying to tell the world. It’s that with determination, the human body can be pushed to the limit and breach world records. Here are some of the remarkable records established by athletes who compete in marathons professionally.
Men’s Division in New York City Marathon
2011, Geoffrey Mutai, Kenya, 2:05:06
Men’s Division, world record
2013, Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, Kenya, 2:03:23
Women’s Division in New York City Marathon
2003, Margaret Okayo, Kenya, 2:22:31
Women’s Division world record
2003, Paula Radcliffe, Great Britain, 2:15:25
Men’s Wheelchair Division in New York City Marathon
2006, Kurt Fearnley, Australia, 1:29:22
Women’s Wheelchair Division in New York City Marathon
2011, Amanda McGrory, United States, 1:50:24
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