Patrick Makau broke the world record in the marathon on Sunday with a 2:03:38 performance at the Berlin Marathon. The Kenyan Makau beat legend Haile Gebrselassie’s 2008 record by 21 seconds. Haile, from Ethiopia, had set that record in Berlin, as well. In fact, the last four world record marathons have been run at Berlin, which (accurately) bills itself as the world’s fastest marathon.
Marathon World Record Broken By Patrick Makau In Berlin
Patrick Makau of Kenya has broken Haile Gebreselassie’s marathon world record with a time of 2:03:38 in Berlin.
Haile ran in 2011, but did not finish. The 38-year-old Ethiopian has never won Olympic gold in the marathon -- he has two golds in the 10K -- and will continue to attempt to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Makau ought to be the overwhelming favorite in London. The 2008 champion, Sammy Wanjiru, died after a fall off of a balcony earlier this year.
Florence Kiplagat won the women’s race in Berlin, coming in at 2:19:45. The top American finisher on the men’s side was Alex Crabill at 2:17:42.
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