Wilson Kipketer, a Danish middle-distance runner born in Kenya, held the 800 meters world record for 13 years. He set the record on August 24, 1997, with a time of 1:41.11 in Cologne, Germany(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia)(800 metres world record progression - Wikipedia). Kipketer's mark was widely regarded as one of the most formidable in track and field, having lowered the previous world record twice within the same year, following his first 1:41.73 set in Stockholm(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia).

This world record stood until 2010, when it was broken by Kenyan athlete David Rudisha. On August 22, 2010, Rudisha ran a 1:41.09 in Berlin, Germany, just edging out Kipketer's mark(800 metres world record progression - Wikipedia)( SportPesa Scores & News - Kenya). Rudisha would go on to lower the record further, ultimately setting a new benchmark of 1:40.91 during the 2012 London Olympics( SportPesa Scores & News - Kenya)(Former World Record Holder Wilson Kipketer On Why Men's 800m Has Gotten SO Fast Ahead Of Olympics).

Thus, David Rudisha was the runner who eventually broke Wilson Kipketer's 800m world record.