Fastest Marathon Courses In The World

Fastest Marathon Courses In The World: Marathons are all about setting new records and runners often prefer fast courses to achieve milestones. Flat courses like Berlin, Valencia, and Chicago, have produced world records in marathons. 

Quick courses are marked by flat terrain, with few or zero hills and inclines, favoured by runners when they are eyeing personal bests and world records.

Let us have a look at some of the fastest marathon courses in the world: 

Berlin Marathon

Normally held every September, the Berlin marathon is one of the fastest marathon courses. It has become synonymous with world records. With 13 world records, Berlin has the highest number of world records compared to any other course. 

Nine of the world records set in the German capital are held by men and four by women. In 1998, Brazilian Ronaldo da Costa raced to the first men’s world record in Berlin of 2:06:05. The current women’s world record of 2:11:53 was also set there by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.

Valencia Marathon

The Valencia Marathon is normally held in December and the super flat course is a favourable stop for runners looking to better their personal records as it is one of the fastest marathon courses.

Late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya set the men’s course record of 2:01:53 here in 2022. That timing still stands as the fastest men’s debut in history.

And the fifth-fastest time ever in the women’s marathon was set by Amane Beriso in 2022 when she clocked 2:14:58.

Chicago Marathon

Six of the fastest times ever, for both men and women, have come in Chicago, the last being the men’s world record of two hours and 35 seconds by Kenyan Kiptum.

Before him, there were two other world records broken in the Chicago course.

Welsh athlete Steve Jones was the first man to enter the world record books in Chicago with his winning time of 2:08:05 in 1984, and then Moroccan born American runner Khalid Khannouchi lowered it in 1999.

Catherine Ndereba, Paula Radcliffe, and Brigid Kosgei shattered the women’s record in Chicago between 2001 and 2019.

London Marathon

A relatively new marathon, the first London Marathon was held in 1981. Since then it has grown in stature and popularity with the world records broken here, seven times.

Like Berlin and Chicago, men’s and women’s world records have been set in London, including the current women’s mark set by Peres Jepchirchir in April 2024.

Norway’s Grete Waitz was the first women’s London Marathon world record holder in 1983, and was followed byIngrid Kristiansen, Radcliffe, and Mary Keitany.

Khannouchi is the only man to set a world record of 2:05:38 at the London Marathon in 2002.

Also Read: List Of The Most Successful Male Marathon Runners Of All Time

Tokyo Marathon

Although the course features few rolling hills, they are not too high or lengthy to cause major elevation losses or gains. It is among the fastest marathon courses

Former marathon world record holder Kipchoge raced here twice, including when he set the course record of 2:02:40 in 2021.