Meet Yuki Kawauchi, The Runner Who Has Run 105 Sub-2:20 Marathons

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Senior Fitness and News Editor

Many runners and spectators who have been following the sport for some time may remember the grueling weather conditions of the 2018 Boston Marathon, in which relentless rains, stiff headwinds, and freezing conditions tested even the hardiest runners.

Rising to the top in the most difficult race conditions was 30-year-old Japanese runner Yuki Kawauchi, who more than earned the title of the 2018 Boston Marathon Champion.

Yuki Kawauchi took the lead from defending champion Geoffrey Kirui in the final mile of the race, crossing the finish line in 2:15:54.

While this wasnโ€™t Yuki Kawauchiโ€™s fastest marathon at that point, it was his first major marathon victory. (His fastest marathon time is 2:07:27, which he ran at the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon.)

He was not yet even a professional runner; it wasnโ€™t until 2019 that Yuki Kawauchi finally went pro.

Although his 2018 Boston Marathon victory is Yuki Kawauchiโ€™s only major marathon victory, Kawauchi has now run all six Abbott World Major Marathons, earning his World Major Marathons Six Star Finisher Medal by completing the 2023 London Marathon.

This coveted accolade is only held by a select minority of runners, and requires completing the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and London Marathon.

But, while becoming a Six-Star Finisher Medal earner is certainly a huge accomplishment and shows dedication and consistency in the sport of marathon running, those six marathons are only the tip of the iceberg in Yuki Kawauchiโ€™s marathon running career.

The most impressive result on Yuki Kawauchiโ€™s running resume is not an individual championship or race result, but rather the composite.

In fact, at the 2023 London Marathon, the 36-year-old runner broke his own Guinness World Record for the most marathons run under 2:20.

His last ratified record stood at 104 sub-2:20 marathons, and with his 2:15:54 finish time at the London Marathon, Kawauchi now has at least 105 finish times that are under 2 hours and 20 minutes.

We call Kawauchi the King of Marathon Consistency, and we canโ€™t wait to see whatโ€™s in store for him next.

Curious to learn how many people have run a marathon? Check out our guide here.

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Amber Sayer, MS, CPT, CNC

Senior Fitness and News Editor

Amber Sayer is a Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness Writer and Editor, as well as a NASM-Certified Nutrition Coach and UESCA-certified running, endurance nutrition, and triathlon coach. She holds two Masters Degreesโ€”one in Exercise Science and one in Prosthetics and Orthotics. As a Certified Personal Trainer and running coach for 12 years, Amber enjoys staying active and helping others do so as well. In her free time, she likes running, cycling, cooking, and tackling any type of puzzle.

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