Eliud Kipchoge knows a thing or two about winning marathons, even when the insoles of his shoes are falling out.

The Kenyan completed the Berlin Marathon today in 2:04:01, the fastest time in the world for 2015 and the 11th-fastest marathon performance all-time. It was his fourth straight marathon victory after winning London this spring, Chicago (2014) and Rotterdam (2014). The time also nipped his previous best set in 2013 in Berlin, where he finished second to Wilson Kipsang in 2:04:05.

The pace went out much faster than Kipchoge’s time, crossing 5K in 14:38 and 15K in 43:53 (2:03:30 pace). The lead pack early on consisted of Kipchoge, Emmanuel Mutai, Geoffrey Mutai, Feyisa Lilesa and Tamirat Tola. Interestingly, Kipchoge had a bit of a shoe problem just after 15K with both of the insoles of his shoes sliding out. 


Kipchoge's shoes during the race

Maybe it was the shoes, or may it was an off day, but the lead pack eventually slowed and crossed the halfway point in 61:53, hoping for 61:30. To break the world record, Kipchoge would need to run 61:03 for his second half. Unlikely for a man struggling with his shoes.

Except, it wasn’t. Kipchoge surged just after 30K and found himself 22 seconds ahead of the field, dropping his splits and getting back on 2:03:30 pace. After crossing the finish line in 2:04:01, Eliud Kiptanui was over a minute behind, finishing second in 2:05:22. Lilesa was third in 2:06:57, E. Mutai fourth in 2:07:46 and G. Mutai fifth in 2:09:29.

Matt Llano of the Northern Arizona Elite training group was the top American in the field, dropping four minutes off of his personal best to finish 13th place in 2:12:28.

2:12:28 for 13th place & 4 minute PB in Berlin today. Not quite there yet, but making progress and getting stronger. 2:10 pace through 36k.

— Matt Llano (@MattLlano) September 27, 2015

Mercy Cherono Breaks 2:20 Barrier in Only 2nd Marathon, Wins in 2:19:25

In the women’s race, Kenyan Gladys Cherono broke the 2:20 barrier in only her second career marathon (almost breaking the Berlin course record of 2:19:12!) by running 2:19:25 for the win.

The lead group of Cherono, Aberu Kebede, Tadelech Bekele and Meseret Hailu crossed 10K in 33:28, 2:21:15 pace and the duel between Cherono and two-time Berlin winner Kebede formed. The two went through the half in 70:15 and chipped away each kilometer, slowly lowering their goal pace time closer to 2:20. They battled through 30K in 1:39:40, 2:20:15 pace. Cherono had other ideas, however, as she continued to surge and drop Kebede. Kebede would finish second in 2:20:48, Hailu third in 2:24:33.