This list highlights the exceptional female athletes who have achieved marathon race times under two hours, a monumental milestone in endurance sports. It includes both official World Athletics-recognized records and notable unofficial or non-standard course achievements that demonstrate the cutting edge of human performance in long-distance running.
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The current official world record holder with a time of 2:11:53 at the 2024 Berlin Marathon. She broke the previous record by over a minute, solidifying her status as the fastest female marathoner in history on a certified course.
A Dutch middle-distance and long-distance runner who holds the second-fastest official time ever at 2:13:44. She is renowned for her versatility, competing at an elite level in events ranging from 1500 meters to the marathon.
The previous world record holder with a time of 2:14:04, set at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Known for her incredible speed and consistency, she remains one of the most dominant figures in modern women's marathon racing.
The reigning Olympic champion and two-time World Champion, holding a personal best of 2:14:07. Her ability to surge in the final kilometers makes her a formidable competitor in championship races and major marathons.
An American-born runner who competes for Bahrain, holding a personal best of 2:17:14. She is known for her strong finish and has won major marathons including Boston and Chicago, demonstrating consistent top-tier performance.
An Ethiopian legend who transitioned successfully to the marathon, holding a personal best of 2:17:56. Her background in track dominance translated well to the road, making her a pioneer for female marathoners from East Africa.
The 2014 London Marathon champion who holds a personal best of 2:17:58. Known for her strategic racing style, she has been a key figure in developing the depth of Kenyan female marathon talent over the last decade.
A Kenyan runner who achieved a personal best of 2:18:23. She has secured victories in major races like the Frankfurt Marathon, showcasing the competitive depth among female marathoners who frequently challenge top times.
A rising star in the marathon world who won the 2023 Chicago Marathon in 2:14:10. Her rapid improvement and aggressive pacing strategy have marked her as one of the most promising talents in women's distance running.
A former world record holder in the half marathon and a top-tier marathoner with a personal best of 2:18:27. Competing for the Netherlands after moving from Kenya, she was one of the early pioneers to dominate both track and road.
A British legend who set a longstanding world record of 2:15:25 in 2003. Although she never broke the two-hour mark due to the era's standards, her performances revolutionized women's marathon racing and endurance physiology.
An Ethiopian athlete who held the world record at 2:18:47 before Tigst Assefa's break. She won gold at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, proving the dominance of Ethiopian women in long-distance events.
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder with a time of 2:20:9. Her victory in the Boston Marathon was particularly historic, as she won it three times, cementing her legacy in major race history.
A Kenyan marathon legend who won Boston and Chicago twice, holding a personal best of 2:18:47. She was instrumental in popularizing the women's elite marathon globally during the early 2000s.
An Ethiopian-born Swedish runner who holds a personal best of 4:26 in the 1500m but has shown promise in half-marathons. While not a top-tier marathoner, her versatility highlights the cross-training trends in elite distance running.
A Kenyan runner who holds a personal best of 2:18:52. She is known for her consistency in major marathons and has served as a strong pack leader and competitor in numerous high-stakes international races.
The 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the marathon with a personal best of 2:22:00. Her victory in Rio marked a significant moment in Kenyan athletic history, showcasing the depth of talent in women's long-distance events.
A Kenyan marathon specialist with a personal best of 2:17:01, holding the course record for Boston. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female marathoners of all time due to her longevity and dominance in the sport.
An emerging Kenyan talent with a personal best of 2:19:15. She has shown rapid progression in international races, indicating a strong future in the competitive landscape of women's elite marathons.
A Kenyan runner who holds a personal best of 2:19:35. She has been a consistent performer in major marathons, often finishing in the top five and contributing to the high level of competition in the sport.
A German middle-distance and marathon runner with a personal best of 2:20:30. As a leading European talent, she represents the growing depth of competition outside of East Africa and Kenya's traditional dominance.