As of 2026, Kelvin Kiptum's world record of 2:00:35, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, remains the pinnacle of human endurance. This performance didn't just nudge the record forward; it shattered the previous mark by a staggering 34 seconds. Remarkable in its own right is that Kiptum claimed three of the top ten fastest times in history within an incredibly short professional career. At this pace, Kiptum averaged approximately 2:51 per kilometer—a speed most recreational runners can only maintain for a 400-meter sprint, yet he sustained it for the full 42.195 kilometers. While the record is now shrouded in sorrow following Kiptum's tragic passing in early 2024, it stands as a 'swan song' of modern athletics, setting the ultimate benchmark for those daring to chase the elusive sub-two-hour barrier.