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Haile Gebrselassie breaks world record at Berlin Marathon

Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record yesterday, winning the Berlin Marathon in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 26 seconds.

The 34-year-old Ethiopian was 29 seconds faster than the four-year-old mark of 2:04:55 set by Kenya's Paul Tergat, on the German capital's flat and fast course where six world records have been set.

Gebrselassie trailed the record mark by six seconds at the halfway point, but picked up the pace over the last 10km, when he ran alone without pacemakers.

He ran through the giant pillars of the Brandenburg Gate in downtown Berlin and broke into a smile over the final meters as it became clear he would accomplish the feat.

Then he threw his arms up in triumph as he broke the tape.

"Don't ask me how I am," Gebrselassie said. "It's very special, spectacular."

This was the 25th world record for the two-time Olympic 10,000m champion, and the sixth time the marathon world record has been broken in Berlin.

Two Kenyans finished second and third, with Abel Kirui clocking 2:06:51 and Salim Kipsang running 2:07:29.

Gebrselassie faded over the final kilometers last year in a failed bid at the record, settling for the fastest marathon of the year at 2:05:56.

This time he increased his mileage before the event and was helped by a cool day.

Gebrselassie picked up 50,000 euros (US$71,000) for the win and the same amount as a world record bonus.
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