Running a marathon requires endurance, discipline, and mental strength. While you'll have to take care of the physical side of your training, the most legendary marathon runners can serve as inspiration. Here, we've picked a dozen exceptional runners from around the world to help inspire you.
| Name | Nationality | Personal Best (Marathon) | World/Olympic Titles | Records Held | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya | 2:01:09 — Berlin 2022 | 2× Olympic Gold (2016, 2020) | Former world record (2018–2023) | Widely regarded as the greatest marathoner ever; known for precision pacing and a calm mindset; inspired millions with his sub-two-hour run. |
| Kelvin Kiptum | Kenya | 2:00:35 — Chicago 2023 (World Record) | World record holder | Current men's world record (ratified 2024) | Broke the marathon world record in 2023; won every race he entered; his career ended tragically in 2024. |
| Haile Gebrselassie | Ethiopia | 2:03:59 — Berlin 2008 | 2× Olympic Gold (10,000 m 1996, 2000) | Former world record (2:03:59) | Ethiopian legend who bridged track and marathon; set dozens of world records; charismatic and inspirational figure in distance running. |
| Kenenisa Bekele | Ethiopia | 2:01:41 — Berlin 2019 | 3× Olympic Gold; multiple World titles | Former 5,000 m & 10,000 m world record holder | Technically perfect runner who came within two seconds of Kipchoge’s record; consistent and dominant across all distances. |
| Steve Prefontaine | USA | — (Track specialist) | Olympic 4th (5,000 m, 1972) | Held all US records 2,000–10,000 m | Fearless and outspoken American icon; helped popularise distance running in the 1970s; died aged 24 but left a lasting legacy. |
| Mo Farah | United Kingdom | 2:05:11 — Chicago 2018 | 4× Olympic Gold (5k/10k) | Former European marathon record holder | Britain’s most successful distance runner; famous for his 'Mobot' celebration; transitioned from track to marathon success. |
| Brigid Kosgei | Kenya | 2:14:04 — Chicago 2019 | Former women's world record holder | World record 2019–2023 | One of the most famous female runners; youngest London winner; dominated both London and Chicago marathons. |
| Paula Radcliffe | United Kingdom | 2:15:25 — London 2003 | World Marathon Champion (2005) | Former world record (2:15:25) | Set an iconic London Marathon record that stood 16 years; tough and disciplined competitor; major influence on women’s running. |
| Joan Benoit Samuelson | USA | 2:21:21 — Chicago 1985 | Olympic Gold (1984) | Former US records (Boston & Chicago) | First woman to win Olympic marathon gold; pioneer who legitimised women’s long-distance running globally. |
| Tirunesh Dibaba | Ethiopia | 2:17:56 — London 2017 | 3× Olympic Gold; multiple World titles | Former 5,000 m world record holder | Decorated Ethiopian athlete who transitioned from track to marathon; inspired new generations of East African women runners. |
| Sonia O’Sullivan | Ireland | 2:29:01 — London 2005 | Olympic Silver (5,000 m, 2000) | 2,000 m world best | One of the most famous Irish runners; versatile across track, cross country, and marathon; remains a national sporting icon. |
| Catherina McKiernan | Ireland | 2:22:23 — Amsterdam 1998 | 4× World Cross Country Silver | Irish marathon record (1998) | Irish marathon pioneer; won Berlin, London, and Amsterdam in the 1990s; now a respected coach and running mentor. |
Eliud Kipchoge
Eliud Kipchoge is often considered one of the most famous runners in history. Calm with precise pacing, the two-time Olympic champion and multiple world marathon winner is an inspiration to many runners. His sub-two-hour exhibition run inspired millions, though, given the circumstances, it doesn't officially stand as the marathon world record, but if you're looking for inspiration for your marathon training, look no further than Kipchoge.
What makes a marathoner truly great isn't just their finish time, but their consistency, discipline, and legacy. Champions like Kipchoge and Radcliffe combined mental toughness with tactical intelligence to achieve world-class performances. These qualities define all the famous runners featured here.
Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum broke the marathon world record in Chicago in 2023 with a 2:00:35. He won Valencia, London, and Chicago consecutively. He tragically died in 2024 and cut short a career that promised to completely change distance running.
marathon finishers take part in official races each year worldwide.
Haile Gebrselassie
Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian legend. He bridged the gap between track and marathon and won two Olympic golds, not to mention two dozen world records. He dominated distances from 10,000 metres to marathons. His charismatic personality made him one of the most famous runners in the world and one who could inspire any marathon training.
have ever won Olympic marathon gold since the event began in 1896.
Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is one of the most technically perfect marathon runners, combining track speed with long-distance discipline. Three Olympic gold medals and a marathon finish within two seconds of Kipchoge's 2019 record, Bekele is up there with the best. Across various distances, Bekele is an incredible runner.
From Kiptum's world record to Bekele's near miss, every great runner pushes the limits of human endurance. Marathon history is filled with legendary rivalries and record-breaking moments that inspired millions. Understanding these milestones helps us appreciate how far the sport has come.
Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine was a famous runner in the 1970s. He became a national hero in the United States and inspired a generation with his outspoken advocacy for rights. His life was cut short at 24, but his influence on American distance running endures.
Mo Farah
Sir Mo Farah is one of the UK's most successful athletes. He won four Olympic gold medals and multiple world titles. His "Mobot" pose became synonymous with the 2012 London Olympics, and he transitioned to marathon running after the Games. He's another famous runner who excelled in track and marathon running.
Brigid Kosgei
Brigid Kosgei became one of the most famous female runners when she smashed the women's world record at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Her consistency also helped her win in both London and Chicago, which are both great marathon destinations, by the way. She's part of a new generation of Kenyan women's distance runners.
Paula Radcliffe
Paul Radcliffe is famous for the London Marathon. She set her legendary 2:15:25 record that stood for 16 years. Powerful, disciplined, and tough, she became one of the most famous runners of her generation. In retirement, she's an ambassador for health and athletics worldwide.
Joan Benoit Samuelson
Joan Benoit Samuelson was the first woman to win Olympic Gold in the marathon at Los Angeles in 1984. A pioneer of women's running, she legitimised the sport on the world stage, inspiring countless athletes to follow in her literal footsteps. She's a role model for endurance runners everywhere.
Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba is one of Ethiopia's most decorated runners. Three Olympic gold medals and world titles across multiple distances, she successfully transitioned from track to marathon running. Her career helped pave the way for a generation of East African women marathoners.
Sonia O’Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan is one of the most famous Irish runners. She's known for her versatility across track, cross country, and road racing. She brought home an Olympic silver medal in Sydney 2000 and held multiple world titles during her career. O'Sullivan now commentates on athletics.
Ireland has produced remarkable long-distance athletes who earned respect on the global stage. Runners like Sonia O'Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan brought pride to Irish athletics. They inspired a new generation of women in sport. Their resilience and consistency made them true icons of marathon running.
Catherina McKiernan
Catherina McKiernan is one of Ireland's greatest distance athletes. A true marathon pioneer, victories in Berlin, London, and Amsterdam in the late 1990s set the benchmarks for Irish women's running. She's now a respected coach and motivational figure in the Irish distance running community. If you need a motivational figure to stay on track with your training, we'd recommend working with a personal marathon coach.
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