Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge Shatters Marathon World Record in Berlin, to Pocket Sh662 Million in Cash Prize

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge is the new marathon world record holder.

The Olympic Champion shattered the previous world record set by his Kenyan counterpart Dennis Kimetto in 2014 by a massive one minute and 16 seconds after clocking 2 hours, 01 minute and 39 seconds to defend his Berlin Marathon title on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Kipchoge led Amos Kipruto (2:06:20) and 2013 Berlin Marathon champion Wilson Kipsang (2:06:47) to a one, two, three win for Kenya.

“I woke up knowing I’d break the World record and maybe even run 2:01 and that’s what I’ve done. I most of the race on my own so I had to keep pushing and keep my composure,” Kipchoge, a three-time London Marathon champion said.

“I lack the words to describe how I feel,” said Kipchoge. “It was really hard [during the last 17 kilometres] but I was truly prepared to run my own race. I had to focus on the work I had put in in Kenya and that is what helped push me. I’m really grateful to my coaching team, my management, the organisation.”

Kipchoge will take home a cash prize of Sh555 million for this victory and an additional bonus of Sh7 million from IAAF.

In the women's race, Kenya’s Gladys Cherono smashed her personal best to claim her third straight Berlin Marathon victory in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 11 seconds, becoming the fourth quickest woman in the history of women’s marathon.