Pushing the boundaries of human achievement

Eliud Kipchoge's bid on Saturday to become the first person to run a marathon in under two hours will excite scientists and sports followers alike.

The scientists, the biomechanists, the boffins who ponder the workings and capabilities of the human body will be salivating at the prospect of another breakthrough. Just how fast can a human run? Success for Kipchoge will open a new chapter in that particular book.

For the sports fans, the run is, admittedly, of limited value in the sense that it is not an actual race. But they will be well aware that once a door on achievement is nudged ajar then it isn't long before it is barged wide open.

For them Kipchoge is the pacemaker who will drag the rest of the road-running world with him.

"Any human being can go beyond their limits," says the marathon world record holder.

"No human being should be limited in their thoughts, in what he or she should be doing."
- Jim Hines -
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- Roger Bannister -
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- Jacques Mayol -
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- Felix Baumgartner -
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