Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin made history by breaking the world record in the 100km distance at the Nord Security World’s Fastest Run in Vilnius in a remarkable display of endurance and speed on Sunday.
Sorokin’s exceptional winning time of 6 hours, 5 minutes, and 35 seconds, subject to official ratification, surpassed the previous official world record set by Japan’s Nao Kazami in 2018 by an impressive margin of 3 minutes and 39 seconds.
While Sorokin had previously recorded a time of 6 hours, 5 minutes, and 41 seconds in a 100,000m race on the track last year, it had not been ratified as a world 100km record. However, this time, competing among a field of 30 international ultra-runners on a 1.644km circuit in Vilnius, he had his sights set on breaking the record.
Maintaining an impressive pace throughout the race, Sorokin completed the marathon distance in approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes, coming remarkably close to his personal best set earlier this year in Seville.
As he reached the halfway point in just under 3 hours and 2 minutes, it became evident that he was well on track to surpass Kazami’s record. Even with temperatures reaching 19°C, Sorokin’s pace remained steadfast in the second half of the race, culminating in a sensational finish time of 6 hours, 5 minutes, and 35 seconds.
Expressing his elation, the 41-year-old Sorokin said, “I am extremely happy to have broken a world record, and it is an even greater joy to have achieved this feat in my hometown of Vilnius. This city is where my running journey began, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make history right here.”
Sorokin’s extraordinary accomplishment not only solidifies his position as a world-class ultra-runner but also showcases his unwavering determination and dedication to his craft.
By pushing the boundaries of human potential, he has etched his name in the annals of athletic achievement, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of runners to aspire to.
