Last updated on .From the section Athletics

Kenya's Dennis Kimetto has broken the marathon world record in Berlin, winning the race in a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds.

The 30-year-old shook off fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai with just under three miles remaining to become the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours and three minutes.

Mutai, who finished second in 2:03:13, also broke the previous record.

"I feel good because I won a very tough race," said Kimetto.

"I felt good from the start and in the last few miles I felt I could do it and break the record."

Men's marathon world record decade-by-decade Year Time Athlete Course 1947 2:25.39 Suh Yun-bok (Korea) Boston 1958 2:15.17 Sergei Popov (Soviet Union) Stockholm 1969 2:08.33 Derek Clayton (Australia) Antwerp 1988 2:06.50 Belayneh Dinsamo (Ethiopia) Rotterdam 1999 2:05.42 Khalid Khannouchi (Morocco) Chicago 2008 2:03.59 Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) Berlin 2014 2:02.57 Dennis Kimetto (Kenya) Berlin

The previous world record had been set on the same course 12 months ago by Kimetto's compatriot Wilson Kipsang, who ran 2:03:23.

Kimetto, who won marathons in Tokyo and Chicago last year, had promised to attack the record in Berlin if conditions allowed.

And in weather perfect for long-distance running, with temperatures around eight degrees centigrade, Kimetto kept his promise, staying in the lead group throughout and sprinting to victory and a new world's best time.

Mutai, meanwhile, believes a two-hour marathon is possible.

"From what I saw today, times are coming down and down. So if not today, then tomorrow," the 29-year-old Kenyan said. "Maybe next time we'll get 2:01."

Scott Overall was the top British athlete in the men's race, finishing 14th in 2:13:00.

Britain's Shelly Woods won the women's wheelchair race as she continues her preparation for November's New York Marathon.