After Eliud Kipchoge set the marathon world record in 2018, a YouTube channel called Total Running Productions decided to test out just how fast 2:01:39 pace is. Total Running Productions mastermind Andrew Martin proposed the following track workout at Kipchoge’s marathon pace:
- 200 meters in 0:34.75
- 400 Other Hearst Subscriptions
- 600 The Kipchoge Challenge Dares Runners to Complete a Track Workout at World Record Marathon Pace
- 800 meters in 2:19
- 1,000 meters in 2:53
- 1,200 track workout at Kipchoges marathon pace
- 1400 Health - Injuries
- 1,600 meters in 1:09.5
Martin took a 2:00 break between each rep. Ultimately, he failed to make it through the 1,000 meter rep. Other running YouTubers, like Nick Symmonds, Zach Levet, and Spencer Brown, attempted the challenge, but none made it all the way through. Brown came the closest, completing the 1,200-meter rep.
Stravas 2024 Yearly Report Is Here Adidas Unveils Boston Marathon Jacket, Brown, who goes by ‘the Athlete Special’ on YouTube, decided to attempt the challenge again. Except this time, it’d be slightly harder, as Kipchoge’s new world record is 2:01:09, which is 4:37 mile pace. Brown would have to run a fraction of a second faster each rep to complete the challenge.
Brown easily cruised under-pace for the first few reps. But by the 1,000, he began to tire. But after the two minute rest, he walked to the start line for the 1,200.
“I hoped that if I could at least get to this point, I was better than I was three years ago,” Brown said in the video.
With a half-second to spare, Brown survived until the next rep. Unfortunately, his challenge would come to a dramatic end, as he failed to complete the 1,400 in the prescribed 4:02 time by two seconds. He wasn’t giving up, though.
“I said to myself, you know what, I was fast on a lot of those early reps. I should just give the 1,600 meter a shot,” he said.
To remove some pressure, Brown decided not to look at his watch. Four laps later, he redeemed himself with a 4:37. And while he didn’t officially complete it, he called on a pair of other running YouTubers to take on the Kipchoge Challenge.
“Other Hearst Subscriptions—CA Notice at Collection Nico Young—I bet you guys could murder it,” Brown said. “It would be cool to see.”
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
