This research project successfully provided insight into what it took to break, what is often referred to as, the “impossible barrier” – finishing a marathon in under 2 hours. In particular, this project helped quantify the drag reduction that was possible as a result of having rotating pacemakers in an organised formation. I have quantified a difference in drag that was found between the two sub-2-hour exhibition events – Breaking2 and INEOS 1:59. By using both the wind tunnel and CFD simulations, the difference was found to equate to 12 seconds. Although we await a time when a ratified marathon world record is under 2 hours, this achievement of Kipchoge and INEOS cannot go unpraised. There were multiple lessons learned from Breaking2 and then INEOS 1:59, that will likely contribute to breaking 2 hours according to World Athletics’ rules in years to come. Kipchoge’s run in the INEOS 1:59 event will long be noted as a historical moment. The credit is owed to Kipchoge, but the engineering innovations of INEOS undoubtedly helped.