KENYANS HOT ON THE TROT! Dennis Kimetto Sets World Mark At Berlin Marathon

Champion: Kimetto holds up his national flag as he celebrates winning the 41st Berlin marathon. Dennis Kimetto set a new fastest time ever at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday morning, beating the previous record by 26 seconds. (Photo: Reuters)

Dennis Kimetto set a new fastest time ever at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday morning, beating the previous record by 26 seconds, GRAPHITTI NEWS reports based on AP and Mirror newspaper accounts.

Kenyan long-distance runner Kimetto ran the 41st Berlin race in a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

The previous record was set a year previously by fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, but that time (2:03:23) was also beaten by second placed finisher Emmanuel Mutai, who scored 2:03:13 - ten seconds faster than Kipsang.

Abera Kuma of Ethiopia was the first non-Kenyan runner to complete the race, finishing almost three minutes behind Kimetto in third place.

Thirty-year-old Kimetto was the pre-race favourite and lead the breakaway group who made their move 12.4 miles in. He strode away from Mutai with just 2.5 miles to race.

Kimetto overtakes Kipsang (Credit: Mirror.co.uk)

Berlin, often referred to as the fastest marathon course, has been the location for the last six record changes at that distance.

Some 40,004 runners from 130 nations were accepted for the race, which was run in perfect clear conditions.