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Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge just became the first marathon runner to break the 2-hour barrier

Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours on Oct. 12, however, the sport’s governing body won't recognize the effort. (Video: Reuters)

Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday became the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours, blowing through the barrier by nearly 20 seconds in a special event in Vienna.

With thousands cheering him on, Kipchoge completed the 26.2-mile challenge in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds.