ArticleEuropean journal of applied physiology2024
In memory of Kelvin Kiptum: a reflection on his record-breaking marathon and the future outlook for a sub 2-h race from a drafting perspective.
Article in European journal of applied physiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Discovering the mechanics of ultra-low density elastomeric foams in elite-level racing shoes.Engineering with computers · 2026Article
- Toward a record-eligible sub-2-hour marathon: an updated integrative framework of Physiological, technological, and cognitive determinants.European journal of applied physiology · 2026Review
- Could a female athlete run a 4-minute mile with improved aerodynamic drafting?Royal Society open science · 2025Article
- The Sub 2-h Official Marathon is Possible: Developing a Drafting Strategy for a Historic Breakthrough in Sports.Sports medicine - open · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDrafting is a common technique to reduce the drag experienced by elite runners on races, leading to faster finish times. The tactic has been successfully used in previous marathon world records. In the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum broke the marathon record after a 2:00:35 finish. This feat is impressive considering the lack of use of drafting, despite the availability of two pacers for the majority of the race.
methodsIn this study, the drag faced by Kiptum and his pacers during the race is calculated by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The performance of each runner is evaluated from an energetic standpoint, and the analysis is extended to include more efficient drafting formations.
resultsRunning in proper formations results in drag reductions in excess of 70% for the main runner. Our results indicate that, by properly using the advantages of drafting, Kiptum could have finished the race at a staggering 1:57:34, a full three minutes better than his own record and 215 s better than the previous world record.
conclusionProper use of drafting does indeed improve the energetic performance of a runner, allowing for lower race times and potentially helping elite runners in breaking the 2-h barrier for a marathon.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.