These Are the World’s Fastest Marathoners

Below you’ll find tables detailing several marathon superlatives:the 10 fastest marathoners in history on record-eligible courses;the 10 fastest American marathoners in history on record-eligible courses;the 10 fastest performances on record-eligible courses;the progression of the world records since 1988.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.Each marathoner appears on the first list, for the fastest performers in history, only once. The third set of tables, for fastest performances in history, allows for a runner to appear more than once. For example, Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge both appear twice in the fastest-performances list for men.All tables are current as of September 27, 2026.Get the latest training advice, racing news, and inspirational stories right to your inbox.10 Fastest Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: MenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon ​Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) 1:59:304:33.5 London, 2026Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) 1:59:414:33.9London, 2026​Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) 2:00:284:35.7 London, 2026 Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) 2:00:354:36.0 Chicago, 2023 Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:094:37.2Berlin, 2022Amos Kipruto (Kenya) 2:01:394:38.4 London, 2026 Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia)2:01:414:38.5 Berlin, 2019Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) 2:01:484:38.7Valencia, 2023Benson Kipruto (Kenya) 2:02:164:39.8Tokyo, 2024John Korir (Kenya) 2:02:244:40.1 Valencia, 2025 10 Fastest Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: WomenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) 2:09:564:57.4 Chicago, 2024 Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia)2:10:514:59.4Barcelona, 2026​Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) 2:11:044:59.9 Berlin, 2026 ​Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)2:13:445:06.0 Chicago, 2023Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya)2:14:005:06.7Valencia, 2025​Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) 2:14:045:06.8 Chicago, 2019 Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)2:14:435:08.3Valencia, 2025 Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia)2:14:565:08.8Chicago, 2025Amane Beriso (Ethiopia)2:14:585:08.9 Valencia, 2022 ​Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) 2:15:255:09.9 London, 2003 10 Fastest American Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: MenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Conner Mantz2:04:434:45.4 Chicago, 2025Khalid Khannouchi 2:05:384:47.5 London, 2002 Zouhair Talbi2:05:454:47.7Houston, 2026​Vincent Mauri2:05:544:48.1 Glass City, 2026 ​Galen Rupp2:06:074:48.6 Prague, 2018 Ryan Hall2:06:174:49.0 London, 2008 Biya Simbassa2:06:534:50.4Valencia, 2024​Ethan Shuley2:07:144:51.2 Osaka, 2026 Dathan Ritzenhein2:07:474:52.4 Chicago, 2012 Leonard Korir2:07:564:52.8 Amsterdam, 2019 10 Fastest American Marathoners on Record-Eligible Course: WomenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Emily Sisson2:18:295:16.9 Chicago, 2022 Keira D’Amato2:19:125:18.6 Houston, 2022Betsy Saina2:19:175:18.7 Tokyo, 2024 Deena Kastor2:19:365:19.5 London, 2006Sara Hall2:20:325:21.6 The Marathon Project, 2020 Jordan Hasay2:20:575:22.6 Chicago, 2017 Shalane Flanagan2:21:145:23.2 Berlin, 2014Joan Samuelson2:21:215:23.5 Chicago, 1985​Amy Cragg2:21:425:24.3 Tokyo, 2018Susanna Sullivan 2:21:565:24.8 Chicago, 202410 Fastest Marathons on Record-Eligible Course: MenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) 1:59:304:33.5 London, 2026 Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) 1:59:414:33.9London, 2026 Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) 2:00:284:35.7London, 2026Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) 2:00:354:36.0 Chicago, 2023Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:094:37.2Berlin, 2022Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) 2:01:254:37.8London, 2023Amos Kipruto (Kenya) 2:01:394:38.4 London, 2026 Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:394:38.4 Berlin, 2018 Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:01:414:38.5 Berlin, 2019Sisay Lemma (Kenya) 2:01:484:38.7Valencia, 202310 Fastest Marathons on Record-Eligible Course: WomenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) 2:09:564:57.4 Chicago, 2024 Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) 2:10:514:59.4Barcelona, 2026Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) 2:11:044:59.9 Berlin, 2026 Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) 2:11:535:01.8 Berlin, 2023 Sifan Hassan (Netherlands)2:13:445:06.0Chicago, 2023Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) 2:14:005:06.7 Valencia, 2025 Brigid Kosgei (Kenya)2:14:045:06.8 Chicago, 2019Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) 2:14:185:07.3Chicago, 2022Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) 2:14:295:07.7 Tokyo, 2026Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) 2:14:435:08.3 Valencia, 2025 Progression of World Record Since 1988: MenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Belayneh Densamo (Ethiopia) 2:06:504:50.3 Rotterdam, 1988 Ronaldo da Costa (Brazil) 2:06:064:48.6 Berlin, 1998 Khalid Khannouchi (Morocco) 2:05:424:47.7 Chicago, 1999 Khalid Khannouchi (United States) 2:05:384:47.5 London, 2002 ​Paul Tergat (Kenya) 2:04:554:45.9 Berlin, 2003 Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) 2:04:264:44.8 Berlin, 2007 Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) 2:03:594:43.8 Berlin, 2008 Patrick Makau (Kenya) 2:03:384:43.0 Berlin, 2011 Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) 2:03:234:42.4 Berlin, 2013 Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) 2:02:574:41.4 Berlin, 2014Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:394:38.4 Berlin, 2018Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:094:37.2 Berlin, 2022Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) 2:00:354:36.0 Chicago, 2023 Sabastian Sawe (Kenya)1:59:304:33.5London, 2026Progression of World Record Since 1988: WomenRunner Finish Time Pace/Mile Marathon Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) 2:20:475:22.2 Rotterdam, 1998 Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) 2:20:435:22.0 Berlin, 1999 Naoko Takahashi (Japan) 2:19:465:19.8 Berlin, 2001 Catherine Ndereba (Kenya) 2:18:475:17.6 Chicago, 2001 Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) 2:17:185:14.2 Chicago, 2002 Paula Radcliffe (Great Britain) 2:15:255:09.9 London, 2003Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) 2:14:045:06.8 Chicago, 2019 Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia) 2:11:535:01.8 Berlin, 2023 Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) 2:09:564:47.4 Chicago, 2024 Find the Perfect Training Plan for YouGet the PlanRecommended Experience: No experience necessary! Anyone can accomplish this training plan.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: This plan is for a new runner who is just getting back into exercise.Get the PlanRecommended 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.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: For runners comfortable exercising for at least an hour at a moderate effort. This plan peaks at 32 miles in a week with a 14-mile long run.Get the PlanRecommended 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 Running Is My Therapy, Advanced Marathoning, and Meb for Mortals. Scott has also written about running for 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.