Berlin Marathon 2018: Eliud Kipchoge breaks world record in stunning race

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Standard Sport16 September 2018

Eliud Kipchoge has smashed the marathon world record by winning the Berlin race in 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds on Sunday.

The Kenyan defended his title in the German capital, pulling ahead of his competitors early on amid perfect running conditions.

The Olympic champion broke the previous world record set in Berlin by fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in 2014 by 1 minute and 16 seconds.

"I lack words to describe this day," said Kipchoge, a former world champion over 5,000 metres and marathon gold medallist at the Rio Olympics in 2016. "I am really grateful, happy to smash the world record.

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"They say you can miss it twice but not third time. So I want to thank everyone who has helped me.

"It was hard. I ran my own race, I trusted my trainers, my programme and my coach. That's what pushed me in the last kilometres.

Kipchoge kept up the pace to sprint through the Brandenburg Gate and complete a world record run that cements his reputation as one of the greatest runners of all time.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters.

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