Yomi Omogbeja (30/09/2007)

Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has shattered the marathon world record after winning the Realr 34th Berlin Marathon in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 26 seconds.

The four-times world champion in the 10,000 metres, two-time Olympic 10,000 metres champion, shaves off 29 seconds from the four-year-old mark of 2:04:55 held by his archrival and friend Kenya's Paul Tergat, also set in the German capital's course in 2003.

The 34-year-old, who failed in his bid for the record last year, preserved and soldiered on despite running alone in the last kilometres to achieve the sixth world record to have been set on that course.

Kenyans Abel Kirui finished second in 2:06.52 and Salim Kipsang third in 2:07.29.

Gebrselassie said: "I knew I could do it. Everything went well. I felt last year that I could make it in Berlin.

"This was perfect. The weather was great - a bit windy - but I still made it and it's a dream come true.

"Don't ask me how proud I am, words can't describe."

"I just want to thank all the German people who helped me on the course, their support made a huge difference," he added.

Ethiopian Gete Wami successfully defended her title in the women's race in 2:23:17, with Germany's Irina Mikitenko second in 2:24:52 and Kenyan Helena Kirop third in 2:26:27.

The Berlin Marathon is the fourth-largest marathon in the world, drawing 40,000 competitors and another 8,000 entries in special events.

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