Haile Gebrselassie smashed the world record by 29 seconds as he won the real-Berlin Marathon for a second successive year yesterday.

Gebrselassie had played down his chances of beating the mark set by Kenya's Paul Tergat four years ago over the same course, but he clocked a superb time of two hours four minutes and 26 seconds to do just that - his 24th world record in a glittering career.

''This was something special,'' said the 34-year-old Ethiopian, who a year ago missed out on breaking Tergat's mark despite setting the best time in the world.

''There was a bit of wind in my face, but at 27km it was behind me.

''Then at 35km it was in front again, but not so much. After 20km, I knew I could break the record because I felt so good''.

Abel Kirui, with a personal best of 2hr 6min 51secs, finished runner-up ahead of his fellow Kenyan Salim Kipsang, who clocked 2:7:29.

Gateshead Harrier Alan Buckley, runner-up in last month's Tees Pride 10K, finished 47th in a disappointing time of 2 hours 28 mins 27 secs on his marathon debut.