The Kenyan long distance runner triumphed in the German capital after breaking the previous record by 16 seconds, which was set at the same event last year by compatriot and the 2014 London marathon winner Wilson Kipsang.

Kipsang finished in 2:03.23 12 months ago, meaning Kimetto has become the first person to break through the two hours and three minutes barrier.

The 30-year-old, who triumphed in marathons in Tokyo and Boston in 2013, clocked a time of 1:01:45 in the first half of the race and was even faster in the final 13.1 miles, running it in 1:01:12.

Fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai was second in a time of 2:03:13 to also finish inside the old world record, while Ethiopia's Abera Kuma was some way back in third as he came home in 2:05:56.