An Ethiopian runner has shattered the world record for a women’s marathon in Berlin, beating the previous time by more than two minutes.

Tigst Assefa finished in 2:11:53, smashing the 2019 record of 2:14:04 set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei.

The 26-year-old, who said she wanted to go for the record, said she was surprised to beat it by such a clear margin.

Assefa, who used to run in the 800-metre race, said it “was the result of hard work”. The result will almost certainly guarantee her place in the Ethiopian team for the Olympics in Paris next year.

“I have set a mark now, the decision does not lie with me but with officials,” she said.

“It is up to the National Committee to select me for the team.”

Her performance was the highlight of the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, which also saw Kenyan and marathon world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge win the race for the fifth time in a row.

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Kipchoge holds the all-time record for a marathon finish – which he clocked at Berlin last year – with a finish of 2:01:09.

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The 38-year-old is aiming to win his third Olympic marathon next year.

“I always learn from every race and every victory,” Kipchoge said. “I’m very happy to win for the fifth time in Berlin and I shall use these lessons in my preparation for the Olympics.”

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