Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya celebrates as he wins the Berlin Marathon 2018 in a world record of 2:01:39 ©Getty Images

Austria has been confirmed as the location for the world's fastest marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge, to make a second attempt at becoming the first athlete to complete the event in under two hours.

The Kenyan came agonisingly close to achieving the feat in Monza, Italy, in 2017 when he finished a Nike-sponsored Breaking2 project in two hours and 25 seconds but he is primed for a new attempt in Vienna in October.

The INEOS 1:59 Challenge is being supported by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly Britain’s richest man, and his controversial petrochemical company Ineos, which has recently taken over cycling’s Team Sky.

After an extensive worldwide assessment process, The Prater – the famous Viennese park – has been chosen as the venue that will give Kipchoge the optimum conditions to write himself into the history books.

The marathon will be held on a multi-lap, 9.6 kilometres course, which will centre on Hauptallee, a tree-lined avenue which runs through the heart of the park.

Each lap will feature Kipchoge running two 4.3 km out-and-back stretches with the Lusthaus and Praterstern roundabouts at either end of the avenue providing the turning points.

Should Kipchoge clock under two hours, it would not stand as a world record as he will be supported by pacemakers who can swap in and out throughout the route.

The 34-year-old became the world record holder after running 2.01.39 to win the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

INEOS chairman Ratcliffe said Vienna had been selected for its fresh air and wide, traffic-free and illuminated roads and an ability to line the route with spectators.

He added: "Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathon runner and the only athlete in the world who has any chance of beating the two-hour time. 

"Nobody has been able to achieve this. 

"It’s not unlike trying to put a man on the moon."

Kipchoge is preparing for his record attempt at his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya.

"I've been informed Vienna has a fast and flat course, nicely protected by trees," he said.

"The course is well situated in the heart of this beautiful city which will enable a great number of spectators to be part of this event."

The marathon is set to take place on October 12 but an eight-day reserve window will allow for the challenge to be delayed in the case of adverse weather conditions.