NAIROBI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is in celebratory mood after Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge set a new world marathon record of 2 hours one minute 39 seconds, and defending champion Gladys Cherono claimed the women's title in a new course record of 2:18:10 in Berlin marathon on Sunday.
Kipchoge, who has rarely lost a race since 2013, became the fifth Kenyan to break the world record, underscoring the dominance the country has had over marathon. Outgoing holder Dennis Kimetto (2:02.57) was gracious in his loss, saying a better athlete has eclipsed his mark.
"Congratulations Kipchoge with the new world record," said Kimetto on Sunday in Eldoret.
"It was a fantastic run, you're an example for each and every runner in this world. Thank you for doing us proud."
Paul Tergat, the first Kenyan to break the record in 2003, said Kipchoge has raised the bar and it will take someone exceptional to bring it further down.
"What an amazing run by Kipchoge. That record will take a long time before it is threatened. Yesterday, 2:01:39 seemed crazy. Today, it's the marathon world record. Congratulation Kipchoge," said Tergat on Sunday in Nairobi.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was also thrilled by the world record run. "Congratulations Kipchoge for breaking the world record in Berlin. I also congratulate his compatriots Amos Kipruto (second) and Wilson Kipsang (third) for going out valiantly to bring a 1-2-3 sweep on the podium for Team Kenya. You are our heroes," said Kenyatta.
He also lauded the performance of women's champion Cherono, who now has a hat trick of wins from Berlin after winning in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
"It was a brilliant performance by Cherono in the women's race. Congratulations for setting a new course record in Berlin. You have once again made the Kenyan flag fly high," said Kenyatta.
Former marathon record holder and Berlin champion Haile Gebreselassie once said for the record to come tumbling down, the course, the shoes, special water and weather must be in synch.
And it looked as such with the marathon gods finally smiling to Kipchoge on his fourth attempt on the Berlin course to not only win, but raise the bar higher by shuttering the world record by over one minute and 18 seconds clocking 2:01.39.
The previous mark of 2:02.57 belonged to Dennis Kimetto. World 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot said Kipchoge's feat is crazy to think of it, leave alone doing it.
"It is only crazy until you do it," said Cheruiyot.
The win even surprised Kipchoge who said he now wants to run slower in next race, if he is invited in Berlin.
"I have run 2:00. I have run 2:01. The next is actually to run 2:02 so I have 2:00, 2:01, 2:02, 2:03, 2:04 and 2:05," he said.
Kenya's sports cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa said Kipchoge has done the country proud.
"Congratulations to our very own winner Kipchoge in your victory at Berlin marathon. It is an honor to break the world record. Well done we are proud of you," said Echesa.
Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha said, "Congratulations Kipchoge for breaking marathon record in 2:0139."
Former World 800m champion Paul Ereng said he is humbled by Kipchoge's performance.
"Congratulation to Kipchoge and his coach Patrick Sang for putting up a display in marathon running and setting the new 2.01:39 world record. The 1, 2, 3 clean sweep on the podium was just a show of Kenya brilliance in distance running."
With Kipchoge stealing the show in 2:01.39 to become the first person to run under two hours and two minutes, strong show by his rivals Amos Kipruto 2:06:23 in second and Wilson Kipsang 2:06:48 will not be known.
Kipsang is the only man to have beaten Kipchoge in 2013 on his way to setting a world record in Berlin of 2:03.23.
But Kipchoge's shaving off one minute and 18 seconds is the largest single improvement on the marathon world record since Derek Clayton improved the mark by two minutes and 23 seconds in 1967.
