(9-28-08) From Press Release - Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia shattered his own marathon record in the real-Berlin Marathon on Sunday morning, running 2:03:59, to become the first man in history under 2.04 for the distance. It is Gebrselassie's 26th world record, and improves by almost half a minute the world record of 2.04.26 that he set in Berlin one year ago. It is exactly five years ago, in this same race that Gebrselassie's great rival, Paul Tergat of Kenya ran 2.04.55, becoming the first man under 2.05. Thus in two stages in successive years, Gebrselassie, 35 has taken almost a minute off that record, and taken it into new territory.
"I'm so happy," said Gebrselassie immediately afterwards. "Everything was perfect, the weather (10-12C and sunny), the pacemakers. Two weeks ago, I had a little problem, I ran 20k 40 seconds faster than in my preparation last year. But I had some cramps, and missed a week's training. I started again a week ago, and had some doubts today, but in the end, everything was fine. This really is my lucky city".
James Kwambai of Kenya, who stayed with Gebrselassie until 36 kilometres was second in 2.05.36, taking close to five minutes off his best, and his colleague, Charles Kamathi was third in 2.07.48.
Irina Mikitenko of Germany won the women's race in 2.19.19, improving her best by over four minutes, breaking the national record and becoming the first German woman under 2.20. Irina Mikitenko is equal first in World Marathon Majors 2007-2008 series with Gete Wami of Ethiopia they have 65 points each
