Berlin, Sep 25: Kenyan long-distance runner and double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge on Sunday shattered his own world record, with a time of 2:01:09 to win the Berlin marathon.
It’s the second time that Kipchoge has set the official men’s world record at the race in the German capital. His previous best in an official 42.2km race was 2:01:39 set on the same course in 2018.
Ethiopian Guye Adola, fell off the pace set by Kipchoge’s preferred pacemaking duo of Moses Koech and Noah Kipkemboi as they approached the 14km point. They reached the halfway mark in 59:51.
At 35km, he was over one minute within his world record pace but slowed slightly and with 2km to go he was nearly 36 seconds faster than his 2018 winning time. As he tackled the last kilometre on his way to winning his 17th marathon of 19 starts, Kipchoge’s face lit up, delighted that he had again defied human limits.
He crossed the finish line for his fourth win in Berlin, with the official time clocked at 2 hours, 1 minute, and 9 seconds, punching the air before hugging coach Patrick Sang, as the world celebrated another remarkable feat by the greatest ever marathoner. (IANS)
