Newsletter - 12/15/23

Welcome to the new MarathonGuide newsletter

Hi there,

Welcome to the new MarathonGuide newsletter!

Each week we'll send you running and race highlights, upcoming events to look forward to, tips & tricks for better training, and something fun or inspirational.

A couple quick notes:

1) Because this is brand new, we'd greatly value your feedback on how to make this newsletter better for you. If you have a moment, please fill out our survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Road Runner Sports.

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Now to some highlights from 2023:

2023 has been an extraordinary year for marathon running, filled with a plethora of amazing performances that have redefined the limits of endurance and speed.

Amidst this backdrop of exceptional athleticism, we've carefully selected the crème de la crème, the performances that truly stood out from the rest.

These standout moments are not just about speed and stamina; they represent the pinnacle of human spirit and determination in the world of long-distance running.

Here are MarathonGuide's picks for the best professional marathon performances in 2023:

Men's: Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya - Chicago Marathon - 2:00:35 - WR

Kiptum, who came into the race with the second and third fastest times in history, broke away from the rest of the field just before the 10K mark, taking only his pacers and countryman Daniel Mateiko with him. The pair reached the half marathon behind world-record pace, but Kiptum lived up to his reputation of finishing fast. He ran the 19th mile in a blistering 4:21, leaving Mateiko behind and setting off on a solo mission to make history. As he made the final turn onto Columbus Drive, Kiptum began to sprint as he pumped up the already-roaring crowd. He then broke the tape and smashed Eliud Kipchoge's record by 34 seconds.

Women's: Tigst Assefa, Ethopia - Berlin Marathon - 2:11:53 - WR

It is nothing short of AMAZING when a world record is lowered by more than 2 minutes and that is just what happened at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Defending champion Tigst Assefa ran the marathon course in 2:11:53 knocking 2:11 off the previous record by Brigid Kosgei of 2:14:04 set at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. With her run, Assefa also knocked nearly four minutes off her personal best and previous Berlin Marathon record of 2:15:37 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. Tigst Assefa's record brings the world record back to Berlin where it resided until the world record moved to Chicago and London beginning in 2001. This is the third time the women's World Record has been set in Berlin.

Men's Wheelchair: Marcel Hug, Switzerland - Chicago Marathon - 1:22:37 - CR

The men's wheelchair race was a time-trial effort from Marcel Hug. Hug pushed out to lead from the start and never had competition up front. He shattered his own course record by nearly three minutes, winning his fourth Bank of America Chicago Marathon and setting a new course record.

Women's Wheelchair: Catherine Debrunner, Switzerland - Berlin Marathon - 1:34:16 - WR

Debrunner shattered the world record in the women's wheelchair race, with the first four finishers all surpassing the previous record time. She triumphantly crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate, breaking the record by an astounding one minute and 26 seconds. This new record eclipsed the time set by fellow countrywoman Manuela Schaer in the T53/54 class since 2019.