2014 Berlin Marathon & New World Record

The Berlin marathon course saw another amazing marathon world record today as Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto (2:02:57) outlasted spirited compatriot Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13) and Abera Kuma (2:05:56) of Ethiopia, to claim a new world record. The lead pack were under world record pace (set in 2013 in Berlin) from early on. Passing halfway at 61:45 the group only surged faster once the pace makers dropped off at 30km. The Kenyan’s looked strong as they dropped the pace down to 2:46/km & 2:47/km and a sub 2:03 marathon become more likely with every kilometre they covered. Finally Kimetto broke away from Mutai with 4km to go to claim his maiden Berlin title (& world record). After a stellar 2013, which saw Kimetto claim the Tokyo Marathon and Chicago Marathon, it looks as if he is the man to catch as the superstars of marathon running set their sights on ever faster times.

The next World Major Marathon will be the Chicago Marathon on the 12^th October, with Kenenisa Bekele, Eluid Kipchoge & Tadese Tola battling it out, while the 6^th & final major, the New York City Marathon on 2^nd November, will see 2014 Boston marathon champion Meb Keflezighi & Wilson Kipsang going head to head.

The womens race was won by Tirfi Tsegaye (2:20:18) ahead of fellow Ethiopian Feyse Tadese (2:20:25) and American Shalane Flanagan (2:21:14). Flanagan, although happy with her new PB, raced hard early chasing Deena Castor’s American record (2:19:36), which eventually took it’s toll late in the race.

The near perfect running conditions in Berlin again saw a Men’s marathon world record, the 5^th since 2007, as 40,000 runners took to the streets of the German capital. Beginning in the Tiergarten & travelling through the city past many iconic landmarks, including the finish just after the Brandenburg gate, Berlin is truly one of the world’s greatest races. With amazing crowd support, flat fast courses, supreme elite fields, great weather and the lure of PB’s for the ordinary runner, there’s no doubt it will be a popular choice for many years to come. Berlin Marathon website