THIS triumphant failure is showing has broken barriers on what is possible.

Always set to be bold and ambitious, the ultimate science experiment fell less than 26 seconds short of the elusive hold it was supposed to crack.

The world’s first sub two-hour marathon.

One week on, the bid is still generating admiration and debate among running communities across the world. Sports analysts are crunching numbers to how best get it right or how long it might take to get there.

Purists have argued against the contrived conditions for the attempt and the blatant marketing.

But what it did achieve was a belief. We are now closer to hunting an elusive mark that man has been chasing for years.

Australian marathon legend Steve Moneghetti says either way this will accelerate the natural evolution of running.

Three marathon men embarked on the bid, Saturday afternoon, Ballarat time, in Monza, Italy.

Nike created a 2.4-kilometre circuit on a second of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza Formula One race track. It had to be perfect conditions, so the event was given a three-day window and confirmed late in the week, including the 5.45am northern Milan starting time.

Track surface, air pressure and temperature were considered in location.

Runners had revolutionary shoes and clothing. Ultra-flat timing mats clocked instantaneous pace data. Training and hydration was carefully calculated.

Hand-picked pacers, including Ballarat Olympian Collis Birmingham, worked in packs on rotation to set the tone with green laser lines to guide them.

The event was closed to the public but streamed live on Nike’s social media channels, watched live by more than 100,000 and replayed by millions. #breaking2 was definitely trending.

Even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Reigning Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge was the sole finisher, crossing the line in two hours and 25 seconds.

He slipped behind the goal time late – mentally and physically spent. The pace he maintained for so long was unprecedented and the world, he said, was just 25 seconds away.

It was incredible viewing. 

Training and preparation is what Kipchoge says will wear down those 25 seconds.

The whole experiment drew on the fundamentals of sport, from elite all the way to grassroots. How can we improve and get better?

Kenyan Dennis Kimetto retains the marathon world record 2:02:57, which he clocked in Berlin 2014. Pacing and hydration advantages ruled Kipchoge’s effort out from the start.

But it was never about breaking a record. This was about breaking barriers because these guys still had to run incredibly fast in what is historically one of the most legendary events that dates back centuries.

This is about inspiring. For runners, technology and methods used will filter into mass running events. 

The main lessons we can all take away from the experiment was to keep pushing our own personal bests.

Dare it be said: just do it.