The former subsistence farmer from Eldoret, Kenya blazed his way to a marathon world record of 2:02:57 Sunday in Berlin, which took 26 seconds off of Wilson Kipsang’s previous world record. Kimetto finished ahead of fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai, who ran 2:03:13, also taking down the previous world record mark on the historic course.

Kimetto was only running four miles a day when he ran into New York City and Boston marathon record-holder Geoffrey Mutai in 2010. Mutai convinced Kimetto to join his training group, which eventually led to the fastest marathon debut in history (2:04:16 at the 2012 Berlin Marathon), three marathon victories (Tokyo 2013, Chicago 2013, Berlin 2014), a runner-up placing (Berlin 2012) and an average finishing time of 2:04:27.

It's nice to have fast friends.

According to the Daily Nation, Kimetto’s wife Caroline Chepkorir Kimetto fainted while watching her husband’s record-breaking victory from Eldoret. “I am so happy, I don’t even have words to describe it,” Caroline told allAfrica.com, “I can’t even comprehend it.”



Other FloRunner nominees:

Lincoln's pick: Emmanuel Mutai
Yes, Kimetto now holds the marathon world record, but let’s not ignore the runner-up. Mutai also broke the previous world record in Berlin, and took 40 seconds off his PR by running 2:03:13. Can you imagine a race with both Mutais (Emmanuel and Geoffrey), Wilson Kipsang, and Kimetto? In marathon fantasy-land, that’s my dream.

Gordon's pick: Maksim Rosa
Maksim Rosa is my FloRunner of the week because everything is better in twos. Maksim and Joseph won the Stanford Invitational with ease. It is crazy to think that not only does Stanford return top guys like Jim Rosa, Sean McGorty and Michael Atchoo. They ADDED Korolev and Rosa 2.0 to an already stacked team. 

Meg's pick: Shalane Flanagan 
Shalane Flanagan is my FloRunner of the Week after setting a new PR and finishing 3rd at the Berlin Marathon. Although she didn't break Deena Kastor's American Recorrd, her 2:21:14 is faster than I could probably run a half marathon. And she was rewarded with a large tankard of beer. Yum. <3

Joe’s pick: Femi Ogunode 
It may officially be cross-country season, but when is it not track season? On Sunday, the Qatari sprinter won the 100m in an Asian-record 9.93 at the Asian Games in Inchon, South Korea. It’s official. A man you likely didn’t know of before now has a faster 100m time this year than Usain Bolt.

James' pick: Shane Quinn
He really left his "sole" out on the course this weekend in Boston. He lost his shoe a little over a mile in the race, but that didn't let him feel too "de-feeted." He was able to help his team to a 3rd place finish, placing 7th overall. It was "toe-tally" awesome. Unfortunately they were unable to beat their "arch" enemy, Syracuse. Ok, I'm done.