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Geoffrey Mutai was aiming for the world record in Berlin. The 30-year-old Kenyan was, however, unable to threaten the top time of compatriot Patrick Makau (2.03.38). After a final sprint with Dennis Kimetto, Mutai had to be satisfied with the world season's time of 2.04.15. Yemane Adhane (Eth), winner of the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam takes fifth place on the annual ranking list (2.04.48). The Ethiopian Aberu Kebede finished in Berlin as the fastest woman with a personal best record of 2.20.30.

PERFECT WEATHER

Although the weather conditions were ideal (ten degrees, dry, barely any wind over the whole course), the hares led the top athletes in the first five kilometres to a disappointing interim time of 15.03 minutes. Halfway, the leading group came through in 1.02.12 - over 30 seconds above Makau's  world record schedule in Berlin (1.01.41) in the previous year.

ACCELERATION

The speed then increased. When the last hare disappeared off the stage after 30 kilometres, Mutai accelerated.  He had to 'pay' for this acceleration after 35 kilometres: the world record slowly slipped from his grasp. Dennis Kimetto, formerly known under the name of Koech, was the only one able to keep up with Mutai. Kimetto, world record holder at 25 kilometres, only lost ground when his compatriot started the final sprint.

FASTEST DEBUTANT

Behind Mutai and Kimetto, who is the fastest debutant in a certified marathon, there was a substantial gap. Number three, Geoffrey Kipsang, finished in 2.06.12. The other six Kenyans in the top 9 followed two minutes later. The Japanese Masakazu Fujiwara was, in tenth place, the first non-Kenyan runner in the rankings.

FANTASTIC

Mutai's attack on Makau's world record failed, but in absolute terms he is already the fastest marathon runner ever. Last April in Boston Mutai won, carried by the wind, in the amazing time of 2.03.02. That performance could not be officially recognised as a world record as the course in Boston does not meet all the requirements of the international athletics association IAAF and is therefore not certified. For instance, the difference in altitude level on the course is greater than the permitted 42 metres and the start and finish are further apart, as the crow flies, than the permitted 21.1 kilometres (half a marathon).

WOMEN

The Ethiopian Aberu Kebede triumphed amongst the women. With 2.20.30, she ran a personal best record. On the world ranking list of this year Kebede must give way to, amongst others, compatriot Tiki Gelana. Gelana shone in spring during the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam (2.18.58) and subsequently secured the Olympic title in London.

The top 10 men in Berlin on Sunday 30 September:

The top of the world rankings of 2012:

The top 10 women in Berlin:

The top 5 of the world rankings of 2012:

Foto: © BMW BERLIN-MARATHON/Jiro Mochizuki