What is the current men’s marathon world record?

The current men’s marathon world record is 2:00:35.

Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum set the mark at the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2023. He won in 2 hours, 35 seconds, lowering Eliud Kipchoge’s previous record of 2:01:09 by 34 seconds. World Athletics ratified Kiptum’s performance as the official record.

Kiptum’s race was notable because he ran the second half faster than the first, a negative split rarely seen at elite marathon level. His average pace was under 2:52 per kilometre. The course was the standard 42.195-kilometre marathon distance.

This record should not be confused with exhibition performances. Kipchoge ran 1:59:40.2 in the 2019 INEOS 1:59 Challenge, but that event did not meet the conditions required for an official world record.