Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge sets new marathon world record in Berlin

That's how long, or little, it took Kenyan superstar runner Eliud Kipchoge to cover the 42.2km of the Berlin Marathon - and smash the world record in the process by a staggering 78 seconds.

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

The 33-year-old, widely seen as the greatest marathon runner of the modern era, ran an official time of 2hr 1min 39sec on a sunny and warm autumn day along the flat inner-city course to beat Dennis Kimetto's world best by a massive 1:18.

"They say you can miss it twice but not third time".

President Uhuru Kenyatta has congratulated Eliud Kipchoge and Gladys Cherono for smashing the World Marathon records at the Berlin Marathon men and women races respectively.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge stands in front of a clock displaying his time after winning the Berlin Marathon setting a new world record with 2h01m39s on September 16, 2018 in Berlin.

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.

Kipchoge has won 10 of the 11 marathons he's run.

A total of 44,389 runners from 133 countries took part in the race, organizers said.

"It was really hard, but I was prepared to run my own race early so I wasn't surprised to be alone".

"My only words are 'Thank you!'", said Kipchoge, who sprinted into the lead after 100 metres and never let up.

But even after the last pacemaker peeled off after 25km, Kipchoge showed no sign of slowing, passing the 30km mark in 1:26:45, with a pace of 2:52 per km, with thousands of Berliners lining the streets and firing him on.

Amos Kipruto finished second in 2:06:22, while former world record holder Wilson Kipsang emerged third in 2:06:47, in what will be a historic race for the marathoners.