30 year-old Kenyan Dennis Kimetto set the pace throughout Sunday’s Berlin Marathon and not only went on to win the race but also smashed through the previous Marathon pace record set in the same event last year by fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, beating it by 26 seconds to set a world record time of 2 hours and 57 minutes.

In 2011’s Boston marathon Kimetto came close to breaking the 2 hours 3 minutes’ barrier that has been the target of top marathon runners with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds. All the more remarkable is that Kimetto had only just recovered from a bout of malaria before competing in the Berlin marathon and in April he was unable to run or train because of a pulled hamstring.

KIMETTO’S REMARKABLE STORY

The record-breaking Berlin run is the latest highlight in Dennis Kimetto’s remarkable story. He only took up professional running five years ago and four years ago he was unable to gain a high school education due to a lack of fees. The Berlin win, however, will net Kimetto €120,000 (Sh14 million)!

Caroline Chepkorir Kimetto, Dennis’s wife, was watching the race at their home in Eldoret and fainted with joy as he crossed the winning line.