Mutai wins Berlin marathon

Geoffrey Mutai won the Berlin marathon on Sunday, surviving a brave challenge by compatriot Dennis Kimetto but failing in his quest to set a new world record.

Geoffrey Kipsang finished third.

Mutai's time was more than half a minute off Patrick Makau's world record of two hours three minutes 38 seconds set in the German capital last year.

Mutai, who ran the fastest marathon in Boston last year but was not recognised because of the course's nature, pulled away with a group of five runners from the start.

Kimetto, running his first competitive marathon, refused to budge as the others slowly peeled off but had no more energy left to challenge for first place in the final 100 metres, finishing a few steps behind Mutai.

-Reuters