LIVE BLOG: What happened hours before Eliud Kipchoge’s historic feat in Vienna, Austria

The greatest marathoner of his generation Eliud Kipchoge cemented his name in history books after the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria on Saturday.

Kenya’s most daring son, Kipchoge, embarked on a body-punishing quest as he aimed to run 42km in a mind-blowing under two hours that left the world on edge for the duration of the spectacle.

At a pre-race press conference in Vienna on Thursday afternoon, Kipchoge assured an expectant world that he was as fit as a fiddle, ready to deliver an uplifting message to the race that no human is limited.

The man, described by many as the philosopher marathon King, said he was staying calm even as the world turned its eye on his 5’6” frame as he dared to venture into a territory no other man has.

True to his word, Kipchoge finished the 42Km marathon in 1:59:40.

What happened on Saturday hours before Kipchoge’s historic feat:

8:45am: 

8:45am - Eliud Kipchoge arrives on the course and warms up with his pacemakers.  [Courtesy]

8:50a.m: Preparations underway before Kipchoge begins his quest.

9:05am: 

9:05am - Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left), the Sh2.8 trillion tycoon that sponsored Kipchoge's INEOS 1:59 Challenge arrives ready to witness history. [Courtesy]

9:15am: Pacemaker team captains and Eliud Kipchoge on the start-line. [Courtesy]

9:15am - The marathon kicks off and Kipchoge is relaxed. [Courtesy]

Fans cheer Kipchoge and his pacemakers. [Courtesy]

9:20am:

9:20am - 39.2 kilometres to go. [Courtesy]

9:28am:

9:28am - The second group of pacemakers take over led by Kenya's Kiptanui. [Courtesy]

9:38am

9:38am: The third team of pacemakers take over. Three brothers in the lineup. [Courtesy]

9:47am

9:47am: 31 minutes into the race, 11 kilometres completed and Kipchoge is on schedule. 31.2 kilometres remaining. [Courtesy]

9:55am: 

9:55am: The fourth team of pacemakers take over. The athletes are led by Lopez Lomong. Lomong is a South Sudanese-born American track and field athlete. He relocated to the United States at the age of 16 and became a citizen in 2007. [Courtesy]

10:05am:

10:05am: Team 5 takes over led by American middle-distance runner Matthew Centrowitz. The pacemakers will guide Kipchoge from 18-23 kilometres. Centrowitz specialises in the 1500 meters and became a prominent figure when he won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. [Courtesy]

10:10a.m

10:10am: Drops of rain can be seen after Kipchoge completes 20 kilometres at 57:42. 22.2 kilometres to go. [Courtesy]

10:22am

10:22am: Team six has taken over. The pacemakers are led by Kenya's Eric Kiptanui. Kipchoge looks fired up. [Courtesy]

10:33am

Australia’s Brett Robinson leads team 7 of Kipchoge’s pacemakers. Robinson is a track and field athlete specialising in the 5000 metres who has competed in the World Championships. [Courtesy]

10:43am

10:43am: Eliud Kipchoge smiling and this is the most critical part of the race. He has in the past said that he usually smiles when he’s hurting during a marathon. [Courtesy]

10:50am: 

10:50am: Team 8 led by Kiptanui take over. The pacemakers need to rally him now more than ever to enable him break the record. [Courtesy]

11:00am:

11:00am - Kenya's Bernard Lagat takes over team 9. What a moment! We are on the verge of history. [Courtesy]

11:10am

11:10am - Kipchoge is in much better shape today than he was in Monza two years ago! Viva [Courtesy]

11:13am

11:13AM - Grace Sugut watches on as her husband Eliud Kipchoge is about to make history. Kipchoge is SPRINTING! [Courtesy]

KIPCHOGE HAS MADE HISTORY! 

Eliud Kipchoge MAKES HISTORY, becomes the first man to finish 42Km marathon in 1:59:40 at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria.  [Courtesy]

We have witnessed history and you are a part of it.

Viva Kipchoge!