Top 10 Best Marathon Runners of All Time

On this list, we will provide the rankings of who is currently or was the best male and female marathon runner from around the world.

1. Eliud Kipchoge - Kenya

   

   When you can run a 4:35 mile for 26.2 miles, even with all the specialized help like pacers, shoes, and looped courses, that is something special. No one talks about how the same materials didn't help Lelisa and Tadese. They had the same advantage as Kipchoge but could only handle the pace for half the distance. Don't even think guys like Kipsang, Bekele, and Kimetto would have been able to keep that pace.

   He only came in second once in a marathon, and has won all others with a strong field. After his only loss, he came back strong and has such a perfect running form, wasting no energy unlike other elite marathon runners.

   In all of the marathons he has raced, he has only lost once, against Wilson Kipsang when Kipsang set the world record in 2013. All of Kipchoge's times are incredible, with the majority of them being under 2:05. On top of that, he now holds the world record by over a minute, and he somehow managed a time of 2:00:25 in the Breaking2 Project, the closest anyone has gotten to a sub-2-hour marathon. He is undoubtedly the King of the Marathon.

2. Wilson Kipsang - Kenya

   

   Was a current world record holder, with a record time of 2:03.23 at the Berlin Marathon 2013. One of the fastest marathon times ever seen.

3. Dennis Kimetto - Kenya

   

   Current world record holder, with a marathon time of 2:02.57 at the Berlin Marathon 2014. Fastest marathon time ever seen or recorded.

4. Haile Gebrselassie - Ethiopia

   

   Is the top marathon runner from Ethiopia and still holds the nation's best marathon time of 2:03:59 at the Berlin Marathon 2007. Also held the World Record.

   He is from Ethiopia, and I mean that Ethiopia is the best country in the world.

5. Meb Keflezighi - USA

   

   Is currently one of the best marathon runners to support Team USA, with a time of 2:08:37 at the Boston Marathon 2014. First American to win the Boston Marathon.

6. Paula Radcliffe - United Kingdom

   

   I admired Paula for a while, but she gave up when she started losing. It should have given her the incentive to keep going and get to the top of her game again, but it didn't. She gave up, and it's such a shame. Fantastic runner at her peak, though.

   Is currently the best female marathon runner ever seen, with a time of 2:15.25 at the London Marathon 2003. Holds the female world record.

7. Abebe Bikila - Kenya

   

   Is considered one of the best marathoners to ever support Kenya, with an Olympic record time of 2:12.11 at the 1968 Olympic Marathon in Tokyo.

   Abebe Bikila was Ethiopian and represented Ethiopia.

8. Rosa Mota - Portugal

   

   Easily one of the best marathon runners of the 20th century, she was European, World, and Olympic Champion at the same time period (1986-1988). She also won Boston (the first non-American woman to achieve back-to-back wins), Chicago, Tokyo, and London - meaning she only missed two modern majors. She won almost 70% of all marathons she ran.

   Rosa Mota was considered one of the best female marathon runners of all time, clocking in at 2:24.30 at the Boston Marathon in 1988.

9. Steve Jones - United Kingdom

   

   Steve Jones is ranked one of the best marathon runners from the United Kingdom, with a time of 2:08.05 at the Chicago Marathon 1984.

   Steve Jones would probably run sub-2:04 with today's technology. He is probably the most natural marathoner that has ever lived.

   One of the hardest marathon runners ever, but a very down-to-earth person. Should have been Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth marathon champion.

10. Ryan Hall - USA

    

    Fastest American marathoner, with a time of 2:04.58 at the 2011 Boston Marathon. He currently holds the U.S. record in the half marathon.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Laban Korir - Kenya

    With a marathon time of 2:06:05 at the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon, he can be considered one of the best runners to support Team Kenya.

12. ?

    Robert Chomesin - Kenya

    With a marathon time of 2:08:05 at the 2015 Warszawa Marathon, he is one of the best marathon runners in the world.

The Contenders

13. Robert Cheruiyot - Kenya

    

    Is one of the most famous marathon and long-distance runners to ever support Kenya, with a marathon time and personal best of 2:07:14 at the Boston Marathon 2010. Broke the all-time Boston Marathon course record.

14. Patrick Makau - Kenya

    

    Is one of Kenya's top marathon runners and for a period of time held the record, with a time of 2:03.38 at the Berlin Marathon 2011.

15. Khalid Khannouchi - USA

    

    Khalid Khannouchi could be called the best marathon runner to support Team USA with a time of 2:05.38 at the London Marathon 2002.

16. Carlos Lopes - Portugal

    

    Carlos Lopes is ranked as one of the best Portuguese marathon runners with a time of 2:07.12 at the Rotterdam Marathon 1985.

17. Joan Benoit - USA

    

    Is one of the most famous American marathon runners to ever support the USA, with a marathon time of 2:22.43 at the Boston Marathon 1983.

18. Paul Tergat - Kenya

    

    Paul Tergat is one of Kenya's best marathon runners, with a time of 2:04.55 at the Berlin Marathon 2003. He also held the world record.

19. Ronaldo da Costa - Brazil

    

    Ronaldo Da Costa is the best marathon runner from Brazil with a time of 2:06.05 at the Berlin Marathon.

20. Robert de Castella - Australia

    

    Robert De Castella is one of the best marathon runners ever to support the Australian team, with a time of 2:08.37 at the 1982 Rotterdam Marathon.

    Robert De Castella is one of the top-ranked runners from Australia with a marathon time of 2:08.18 at the Fukuoka Marathon 1981.

21. Ingrid Kristiansen - Norway

    

    Is most likely ranked one of the greatest marathon and long-distance runners ever to run for the country of Norway, with a marathon time of 2:21:06 at the London Marathon.

22. Belayneh Dinsamo - Ethiopia

    

    He is one of Ethiopia's top marathon runners, with a time of 2:06:50 at the 1988 Rotterdam Marathon.

23. Naoko Takahashi - Japan

    

    She is considered the best female marathon runner from Japan, with a time of 2:19:46 at the 2001 Berlin Marathon.

24. Yonas Kifle - Eritrea

    

    Is considered one of the best marathon runners to ever represent Eritrea and was ranked among the best in the world with a marathon time of 2:07.34 at the 2007 Amsterdam Marathon.

25. Serena Burla - USA

    

    With a marathon time of 2:28.01 at the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon, she is one of the top marathon runners in the United States.

26. Deriba Merga - Ethiopia

    

    Is one of the top-ranked marathon runners to ever run for the country of Ethiopia, with a marathon time of 2:06.38 at the Beijing Olympics 2008.

27. Sohn Kee-chung - South Korea

    

    He was the best marathon runner to represent South Korea, with a time of 2:29:19 at the 1936 Summer Olympics.