Kimetto Runs 2:02:57 at Berlin Marathon for New World Record
The fast Berlin course was the home of yet another record.
The fast Berlin course was the home of yet another record.
Dennis Kimetto of Kenya is the new world record holder in the marathon, clocking a 2:02:57 to win the 2014 Berlin Marathon today.
Kimetto is the first person to break 2:03. He beat fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang’s previous record of 2:03:23, set one year ago in Berlin.
The certified course is known to produce fast times, but Kimetto’s performance is truly ground-breaking. He broke away from the pack of seven runners during the last quarter of the race, and pulled away from fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai with about 3 miles to go. Mutai finished in 2:03:13, also dipping below the previous record. Abera Kuma of Ethiopia placed third in 2:05:56.
But it was Kimetto’s day. His previous best was 2:03:45 set at last year’s Chicago Marathon, but his sub-2:03 today will surely re-charge debate as to whether a sub-2-hour marathon is on the horizon.
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The top American male was Fernando Cabada, who ran a PR of 2:11:36 and finished 10th overall.
On the women’s side, Shalane Flanagan fell short in her bid to become the American record holder in the marathon, placing third with a time of 2:21:14. It is the second-fastest time ever by an American, but Deena Kastor’s American record of 2:19:36 still stands.
The women’s race was won by Tirfi Tsegaye of Ethiopia in a time of 2:20:18.