Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya wins Berlin Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge failed in his bid to set a third straight world record at the Berlin marathon on Sunday after winning in an unofficial time of two hours, 04.01 minutes.

Kipchoge, the 2008 Beijing 5000m Olympic silver medallist, has completed five marathons, only being beaten once – by Wilson Kipsang as he set a then world record of 2:03:23 in Berlin in 2013.

The Berlin marathon offers 40,000 euros ($44,800) for the top spot in the fast-paced competition, with an additional 15,000 euros ($16,800) for making the distance in less than 2:05.

The in-form 30-year-old, a victor in London in April, proved a master of the flat, inner-city course, regarded as the fastest in the world, even as his insoles slipped out of his shoes early in the race, winning ahead of fellow Kenyan Eliud Kiptanui and Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa.

“The Berlin course is very good.” said the 30-year-old Kipchoge, who won the Rotterdam and Chicago marathons in 2013 before being victorious in London.

Phillipp Pflieger – one of Germany’s best runners – clocked in at 2:12:50.

Since 2003, the men’s world record has fallen six times in Berlin, including three times in the last four years. All times were official.

“I’m looking forward to the race on Sunday and have prepared very well”. I’m glad I won and in a personal best.

“From the first kilometer I had problems with my shoes”, Kipchoge said.

“This wasn’t an easy time for me but now I am delighted to be in Berlin and have a good feeling about the race”, he insisted.

Emmanuel Mutai was fourth and Geoffrey Mutai fifth, ahead of Canada’s Reid Coolseat, who ran 2:10:28. The 32-year-old half marathon world champion ran 2:20:03 for second place in her debut in Dubai last January.

“I think I had no chance to beat Eliud”, said Kiptanui, who knocked 17 seconds off his personal best set in Prague in 2010.

Conditions were ideal on a cool, crisp autumn morning in Berlin.