Kenya is in celebratory mood after Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge set a new world marathon record of 2 hours, one minute and 39 seconds, and defending champion Gladys Cherono claimed the women's title in a new course record of 2:18:10 in Berlin marathon on Sunday.

Kipchoge, who has rarely lost a race since 2013, became the fifth Kenyan to break the world record, underscoring the dominance the country has had over marathon. Outgoing holder Dennis Kimetto (2:02.57) was gracious in his loss, saying a better athlete has eclipsed his mark.

“Congratulations to Kipchoge with the new world record,” said Kimetto on Sunday in Eldoret.

“It was a fantastic run, you're an example for each and every runner in this world. Thank you for doing us proud.”

Paul Tergat, the first Kenyan to break the record in 2003, said Kipchoge has raised the bar and it will take someone exceptional to bring it further down.

“What an amazing run by Kipchoge. That record will take a long time before it is threatened. Yesterday, 2:01:39 seemed crazy. Today, it's the marathon world record. Congratulation Kipchoge,” said Tergat on Sunday in Nairobi.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was also thrilled by the world record run. “Congratulations Kipchoge for breaking the world record in Berlin. I also congratulate his compatriots Amos Kipruto (second) and Wilson Kipsang (third) for going out valiantly to bring a 1-2-3 sweep on the podium for Team Kenya. You are our heroes,” said Kenyatta.

Former marathon record holder and Berlin champion Haile Gebreselassie once said for the record to come tumbling down, the course, the shoes, special water and weather must be in sync.

And it looked as such with the marathon gods finally smiling on Kipchoge on his fourth attempt on the Berlin course to not only win, but raise the bar higher by shuttering the world record by over one minute and 18 seconds clocking 2:01.39.

The previous mark of 2:02.57 belonged to Dennis Kimetto.

With Kipchoge stealing the show in 2:01.39 to become the first person to run under two hours and two minutes, strong show by his rivals Amos Kipruto 2:06:23 in second and Wilson Kipsang 2:06:48 will not be known.

Kipsang is the only man to have beaten Kipchoge in 2013 on his way to setting a world record in Berlin of 2:03.23.

But Kipchoge's shaving off one minute and 18 seconds is the largest single improvement on the marathon world record since Derek Clayton improved the mark by two minutes and 23 seconds in 1967.

(With Xinhua input)