Kenyan breaks marathon record

Wilson Kipsang of Kenya broke a marathon world record on Sunday at the 40th Berlin marathon with a time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 23 seconds.

After training for the race with the intention of breaking the record, Kipsang broke away from the pack in the final 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Kipsang ran the 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) 15 seconds faster than the previous record, which was held by his fellow Kenyan Patrick Makau in the same race two years ago.

Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya came in second in 2:04:05, which was an improvement on his personal best by more than a minute.

This is the ninth time a world record has been broken in Berlin, with five men's world records being set in the German capital in the last decade.

The women's race was won by Kenya's Florence Kiplagat, who also won the race in 2011. Germany's Irina Mikitenko finished in third place breaking the world masters record for the over 40s. Her time was 2:24:54.

Runners enjoyed cool but dry and sunny conditions in Berlin on Sunday.

The race was kicked off by four-time winner Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, who has twice set the record in Berlin.

hc/tj (AFP, Reuters, dpa)