Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto has broken the marathon world record in Berlin, winning the race in a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds.
The 30-year-old broke away in a seven-man group that included fellow Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai and Geoffrey Kamworor.
He shook off Mutai with just under three miles remaining to become the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours and three minutes.
“I feel good because I won a very tough race,” said Kimetto.
“I felt good from the start and in the last few miles I felt I could do it and break the record.”
| Men’s marathon world record (ratified by IAAF) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Time | Athlete | Course |
| 1947 | 2:25.39 | Suh Yun-bok (Korea) | Boston |
| 1958 | 2:15.17 | Sergei Popov (Soviet Union) | Stockholm |
| 1969 | 2:08.33 | Derek Clayton (Australia) | Antwerp |
| 1988 | 2:06.50 | Belayneh Dinsamo (Ethiopia) | Rotterdam |
| 1999 | 2:05.42 | Khalid Khannouchi (Morocco) | Chicago |
| 2008 | 2:03.59 | Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) | Berlin |
| 2014 | 2:02.57 | Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) | Berlin |
The previous world record had been set on the same course 12 months ago by Kimetto’s compatriot Wilson Kipsang, who ran 2:03:23.
Kimetto, who won marathons in Tokyo and Boston last year, had promised to attack the record in Berlin if conditions allowed.
And in weather perfect for long-distance running, with temperatures around eight degrees centigrade, Kimetto kept his promise, staying in the lead group throughout and sprinting to victory and a new world’s best time.
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Source: BBC