Kipchoge eyes world record in Berlin

Berlin  - Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge believes he can break the marathon world record when he starts in Sunday's Berlin Marathon on a city course which has already produced a string of world-best marks.

"If the weather is good and we not already out on our own after 30 kilometres then a lot is possible, really a lot," he told runnersworld.de.

Kipchoge, 30, has won four of the five marathons he has competed in, including the last three in London, Chicago and Rotterdam.

The 2003 world champion over 5,000 metres has a best marathon time of 2 hours, 4 minutes 5 seconds set in Berlin two years ago when he was only beaten by Kenya's Wilson Kipsang's then world record 2:03:23.

Fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto of Kenya last year smashed the world record by 26 seconds with victory in Berlin in 2:02:57 when compatriot and Kipchoge's training partner Emmanuel Mutai was also faster than the previous mark in second place in 2:03:13.

In all, the Berlin marathon has produced seven men's world records and three women's world records since its begin in 1974

Mutai joins Kipchoge in Sunday's line-up among several contenders in a high-class field, which also includes Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai (no relation to Emmanuel Mutai) and Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa, who have both run under 2:05.

Kipchoge said he aimed to race the first half in Berlin in 61:30 "and the second a few seconds faster."

The transformation from track running to marathon was not easy "but I now know a marathon only begins at 35 kilometres," he said.

"Now I believe I have got to the stage that I can go from 2:04:05 to a time under 2:03. I am setting myself no limits," he said.

Kipchoge said he and Emmanuel Mutai would be working together during the race.

"Whoever from us both is stronger at the end deserves the victory and, if it works out, the record. It's as simple as that," he said.

A world record would be worth €120,000 euros - €40,000 for the win, €30,000 for a time bonus (under 2:04) and €50,000 for the record.