Marathon greats: Kelvin Kiptum, Ruth Chepngetich, Eliud Kipchoge, Paula Radcliffe… A legendary top 10

The athletes featured in this article have shattered records, dominated the world’s most prestigious marathons, and left an indelible mark on the history of distance running. Without claiming to be exhaustive, this top 10 spotlights some of the most iconic figures ever to grace the marathon.

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| Ruth Chepngetich (2:09:56 in 2024)

A moment forever etched in the history books. On October 13, 2024, in Chicago, Kenyan runner Ruth Chepngetich made history as the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, clocking 2:09:56—a world record that still stands. With her aggressive front-running style, Chepngetich stunned the field, blazing through the halfway mark in a jaw-dropping 1:04:16. At just 31 years old (born in 1994), she still has plenty of time to add more titles—whether on the half-marathon circuit, where she is already dominant, or in the full marathon.

| Tigst Assefa (2:11:53 in 2023)

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, who recorded a stunning 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon—then the second-fastest time ever—cemented her place in marathon lore with another stellar performance in London on April 27, 2025. There, she ran 2:15:50, breaking the women’s-only world record previously held by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16). Assefa also claimed Olympic silver at Paris 2024 after a thrilling duel with Dutch superstar Sifan Hassan. A former 800m runner, Assefa has retained the raw speed from her track days—she’s the only woman in history to run sub-2:00 for 800m and sub-2:20 in the marathon. A truly rare feat.

| Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16 in 2024)

An Olympic champion in Tokyo (2021), world half-marathon champion in Riga (2023), and a multiple major marathon winner—New York (2021), London (2024)—Peres Jepchirchir was, until recently, the world record holder for a women-only marathon (2:16:16 in London, 2024). Although her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics (15th in 2:26:51) fell short of expectations, the Kenyan remains a formidable force. With her pedigree, no one is counting her out just yet.

| Paula Radcliffe (2:15:23 in 2003)

For years, the world record belonged to Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, who set the time to beat—2:15:25—on home soil at the 2003 London Marathon. A true legend, Radcliffe transcended the sport of distance running, with her name still widely recognized even by those outside the athletics world. She was dominant across distances: cross country, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, half marathon, and, of course, the full 42.195 km. From the early 2000s through 2008, she was virtually untouchable at the World Championships. Her only lingering regret may be her lack of Olympic success (DNF in Athens 2004, 23rd in Beijing 2008). Her favorite battlegrounds? New York (wins in 2004, 2007, 2008) and London (victories in 2001, 2003, 2005). Her love for racing carried her to the age of 42; in 2015, she made her final appearance at the London Marathon in an emotional farewell in front of a home crowd. Paula Radcliffe embodies passion.

| Brigid Kosgei (2h14’04 en 2019)

Brigid Kosgei’s story is still being written. In April 2025, she placed second at the Hamburg Marathon with a solid 2:18:26, finishing just behind Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa—proof that she remains among the elite. Many fans still vividly recall her unforgettable finish at the 2019 Chicago Marathon, where she shattered Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing record (after 16 years!) with a stunning 2:14:04. Though injuries have since hampered her career, the 31-year-old Kenyan is far from done. Known not only for her athletic achievements but also her off-track activism, Brigid Kosgei continues to inspire—and belongs firmly among the sport’s elite.

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| Kelvin Kiptum (2:00:35 in 2023)

The running world is still reeling from the tragic death of Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, who passed away in a car accident on February 11, 2024, at just 24 years old. His coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also died in the crash. Kiptum was a phenomenon of precocious talent and raw speed. On December 4, 2022, he stunned the world by winning his marathon debut in Valencia with a time of 2:01:53—making him only the third man in history to run under 2:02, alongside Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. A year later in Chicago, he shattered Kipchoge’s world record with an astonishing 2:00:35, slicing 34 seconds off the previous mark. That came after a dominant run in London earlier in 2023, where he won in 2:01:25. Kiptum’s sudden death left a gaping hole in the sport. Like a shooting star, his brilliance was brief but unforgettable.

| Eliud Kipchoge (2:01:09 in 2022)

At 40 years old, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is still the undisputed GOAT—Greatest of All Time—of distance running. After missing most of 2024 due to a back injury that forced him to withdraw from the Paris Olympics, Kipchoge returned to finish 6th at the 2025 London Marathon in 2:05:25. His determination to compete at the highest level even in his forties continues to inspire. From 2013 to 2023, Kipchoge was virtually untouchable, dominating the majors—particularly London and Berlin—and winning Olympic gold in Rio (2016) and Tokyo (2021). He famously became the first person to run a sub-2-hour marathon (1:59:40 in Vienna, 2019), though the feat was achieved under controlled, non-record-eligible conditions. Fans still hope to see him win once more in open competition—though the challenge is steep.

| Kenenisa Bekele (2:01:49 in 2019)

Before Kipchoge, there was Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele. A multiple Olympic gold medalist over 5000m and 10,000m, Bekele made his marathon debut in 2014 by winning Paris in a course record time of 2:05:04. Since then, he has been a consistent threat, winning the Berlin Marathon twice (2016 and 2019). With a personal best of 2:01:41, he is still the third-fastest man in marathon history. In 2024, he proved he’s not done yet—finishing second in London in 2:04:15, setting a new record for runners over 40. Every time he lines up, there’s a sense that history might be made again. His duel with Kipchoge remains one of the most anticipated matchups in distance running.

| Evans Chebet (2:03:00 en 2020)

While not a household name, Kenya’s Evans Chebet is well known—and well respected—among elite runners. He pulled off a rare feat in 2022 by winning both the Boston and New York City Marathons, a double no one had achieved before. He nearly repeated the New York win in 2023, finishing second. In 2024, he proved his staying power with a 5th-place finish in London (2:05:43). Though more understated than some of his rivals, Chebet remains one of the most consistent and dangerous marathoners in the world.

| Tamirat Tola (2:03:39 in 2021)

August 10, 2024, was a date to remember for fans of the marathon. Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola claimed Olympic gold in Paris, clocking 2:06:26—the fastest marathon ever run in Olympic history and on a notoriously tough course, with over 430 meters of elevation gain. It was a masterclass in pacing and grit. In April 2025, he followed up with a strong 5th-place finish in London (2:04:42), cementing his status as Ethiopia’s new marathon leader. That’s no small title in a country that has produced legends like Abebe Bikila and Haile Gebrselassie. But Tola appears ready for the weight of history.

These men—and their female counterparts—have pushed the limits of what the human body can endure. With every new record, every triumphant stride through the streets of London, Berlin, New York, or Paris, they inspire new generations of runners around the world. The marathon remains a universal symbol of ambition, perseverance, and the power of dreams. And its legend continues to grow.

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