The 34-year-old Ethiopian lowered the mark of 2:04:55 set by Kenya's Paul Tergat in 2003 on the flat course that winds through the German capital. Gete Wami, also from Ethiopia, defended her title in the women's race in 2:23:17.

Gebrselassie trailed the record mark by six seconds at the halfway point, but picked up the pace over the last six miles, when he ran alone without pacemakers.

He ran through the giant pillars of the Brandenburg Gate in downtown Berlin and broke into a smile over the final yards as it became clear he would accomplish the feat on his second try in Berlin.

Then he threw his arms up in triumph as he broke the tape.

"Don't ask me how I am," Gebrselassie said. "It's very special, spectacular."

This was the 25th world record for the two-time Olympic 10,000-meter champion, and the sixth time the marathon world record has been broken in Berlin.

Two Kenyans finished second and third, with Abel Kirui clocking 2:06:51 and Salim Kipsang running 2:07:29.

Gebrselassie faded over the final miles last year in a failed bid at the record, settling for the year's fastest marathon of the year at 2:05:56.

This time he increased his mileage before the event and was helped by a cool day.

"Today, there was a little wind, but otherwise perfect," he said.

The win helped him forget the torment of dropping out of April's star-studded London Marathon, when he had breathing problems after about 19 miles. Later, he was diagnosed with allergies.

"That was very sad. I could not sleep at all the night after that, and this experience still follows me until today," Gebrselassie said.

Germany's Irina Mikitenko was second in the women's race in 2:24:52, and Kenya's Helena Kirop finished third in 2:26:27.