NEWS Flash: Haile – 2:04:26 World Record in Berlin!

Berlin, Germany – Haile Gebrselassie finally fulfilled one of his biggest dreams: The 34 year-old Ethiopian broke the World record at the real,- Berlin-Marathon, clocking 2:04:26 *.

Running in near ideal conditions, Gebrselassie knocked 29 seconds from the preview record, 2:04:55, set by Kenyan Paul Tergat over the same course in 2003.

“It was something very special today, the spectators gave me more support than last year,” Gebrselassie said. “I have to say thank you Germany! Today the weather was perfect.”

Running an even pace Gebrselassie was guided by a group of pacemakers until 30 k. He left behind his other rivals soon after the start and then passed half way in 1:02:29 and always on course for the record. After the last two pacemakers had dropped out at 30 k Gebrselassie increased the pace, clocking his fastest kilometre split of 2:50 at 35 k.

Kenyan Abel Kirui took second with 2:06:51 and his felllow countryman Salim Kipsang was third in 2:07:29.

Gete Wami also defended her title in Berlin. The Ethiopian clocked 2:23:17 to finish yet another Ethiopian double victory in Berlin after 2006. There was a great debut by Irina Mikitenko. She clocked 2:24:51 to finish second, which is the fastest ever Marathon debut by a German woman. She is now the third fastest on the German all-time list behind Uta Pippig (2:21:45) and Katrin Dörre-Heinig (2:24:35).

Jörg Wenig

NB: Full report to follow

* pending the usual ratification procedures