BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan Patrick Makau sets a new world record at the 38th Berlin Marathon when he pulverized the former record by Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie with 2:03:38 on 42,195 km on Sunday.

With perfect conditions Makau was able to beat Gebrselassies world record about 21 seconds. It is the 8th world record in Berlin marathon history. Gebrselassie finally dropped out between 35-40 km as he would not get a time fast enough for London 2012.

"I came to Berlin to win. At the half way point I knew that I could break the record. It is the greatest day of my career" , Makau said after the marathon.

At the women marathon Kenyan Florence Kiplagat finished on first with 2:19:44 followed by Irina Mikitenko with 2:22.18 and Briton Paula Radcliffe with 2:23:46.