BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya set a new world record of two hours, one minute and nine seconds to claim the 48th Berlin Marathon title here on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Kenyan staged a dominant performance and bettered his own record from 2018 by 30 seconds with a wire-to-wire victory.

Kipchoge and his pacemakers immediately took the lead after the start. Only Ethiopia's Andamlak Belihu and fellow countryman Guye Adola were able to keep up with Kipchoge, as the trio beat the previous world record time at the 13-kilometer mark by 40 seconds.

As the race progressed, Adola couldn't hold the pace and had to drop out of the leading group. Belihu remained on Kipchoge's heels until the 26-kilometer mark, before Kipchoge relentlessly pushed on the pace as the last pacemaker had left the track.

Although Kipchoge had shrugged off his last chaser at the 26-kilometer mark, he kept his foot on the gas pedal and crossed the finish line in 2:01:09. Kipchoge has won 17 of the last 19 marathon races.

Kipchoge's compatriot Mark Korir finished second in 2:05:58, and Ethiopia's Tadu Abate came in third by clocking 2:06:28.

"I am happy with my preparations. The victory is the result of great teamwork with my trainers, sponsors and materials. I owe this world record to my whole team," said Kipchoge.

"My family and young people keep motivating me. I will now celebrate my victory with my team," the world record holder added.

Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa won the women's category with the third best time of 2:15:37. Only Kenya's Brigid Kosgei and Britain's Paula Radcliffe were faster in Berlin.

Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru finished second in 2:18:00, followed by Ethiopia's Tigist Abayechew in 2:18:03. - Xinhua

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Africa fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya has taken the gold medal in the men’s 100metre final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK on Wednesday.

The 26 year sprints sensation clocked 10.02 to win relatively comfortably ahead of continental rival and defending champion Akani Simbine of South Africa. 

Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon finished a hundredth of a second behind Simbine to take bronze in a hotly contested finish, with Jeremiah Azu of Wales in fifth with 10.19.

Omanyala recovered brilliantly from setbacks in July which saw him suffer visa issues before the World Championships. Those problems meant he arrived in Oregon, US, just hours before his 100m heat before being knocked out in the semi-final. 

He said: ‘I came here with the sole aim of winning the gold and in the final it was a case of controlling the race from the start.

‘Once I got a good start I knew I would win the gold. When I crossed the line I felt like jumping for joy.’

“It needed someone to break the barrier because there will be so many other sprinters coming through. It will have a lot of impact now that I have two championship gold medals and an Africa record,” noted Omanyala, who has personal best of 9.77 seconds.

He said the Commonwealth Games victory is a big motivation towards next season where he intends to take another shot at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary and later the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“Winning the Africa and Commonwealth titles in addition to setting a new Africa Record in less than one year makes that dream for the world and Olympic title possible and a reality,” said Omanyala.

Seraphino Antao was the first and only Kenyan to win the 100m sprint at the Club games in 1962, when the race was 100 yards (Approx 91.44m)

Omanyala has now clinched a medal in his first ever final, having missed out at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Indoor Championships and the World Championships last month, where he reached the semis in all. Source: KBC