Gebrselassie sets marathon record in Berlin

Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie shattered a marathon world record yesterday in Berlin that had been set four years ago by his great track rival Paul Tergat of Kenya. Gebrselassie was clocked in at an official time of two hours, four minutes and 26...

Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie shattered a marathon world record yesterday in Berlin that had been set four years ago by his great track rival Paul Tergat of Kenya. Gebrselassie was clocked in at an official time of two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 2:04.55 Tergat set on the same flat and fast Berlin course in 2003.

Gebrselassie, 34, swept through the streets of the German capital in ideal weather conditions, urged on by enthusiastic crowds of more than a million spectators that lined the 42-kilometres course to cheer him and the 40,000 competitors.

"This is wonderful, it's really special," Gebrselassie said. "Thank you to the people of Germany."

Gebrselassie received €50,000 for winning the race and a €50,000 bonus for the world record, on top of a reported €250,000 appearance fee.

Gete Wami, of Ethiopia, won the women's race in a time of 2:23.17.

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