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BERLIN. — Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge has set a new marathon world record with a time of two hours, one minute 39 seconds in Berlin, Germany, yesterday.

The 33-year-old took more than a minute off the previous best which was set by compatriot Dennis Kimetto when he ran 2:02:57 in Berlin in 2014.

“I lack words to describe this day,” said Kipchoge. “I am really grateful, happy to smash the world record.”

Kipchoge is regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time.

He won the London Marathon for a third time earlier this year and is the Olympic champion over the distance.

“It was hard,” Kipchoge added. “I ran my own race, I trusted my trainers, my programme and my coach. That’s what pushed me in the last kilometres.”

In warm sunny conditions, Kipchoge showed no sign of slowing as he passed the 30km mark, later sprinting through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish.

Kipchoge arrived on the world running scene at Hamburg in 2013 following a successful track career that left him with a collection of Olympic medals and world titles.

He has won 10 of the 11 marathons he has competed in, and also won Olympic gold in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Fellow Kenyan Amos Kipruto came second in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 23 seconds, followed by a third Kenyan, former world-record holder Wilson Kipsang, who was 25 seconds behind.

In another victory for Kenyan athletics, Gladys Cherono won the women’s race in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 11 seconds, a new women’s record in Berlin. — BBC Sport