When he could finish only sixth in the Beijing Olympic 10,000 metres final, some were ready to draw a line under the championship career of Haile Gebrselassie. But yesterday the Little Emperor proved that he is not yet ready to abdicate when he smashed his own world marathon record by 27 seconds, and became the first man to run the distance in under 2 hours 4 minutes.

The previous world best was set by Geb's Kenyan arch rival, Paul Tergat, who was the first man to go under 2:05, with 2:04:55 on the same course five years ago.

The 35-year-old Ethiopian opted to miss the Olympic marathon in China because of his concerns over pollution, but cantered round the streets of the German city to win for the third successive time, in 2:03.59. Twelve months ago he had set the previous best at 2:04.26.

It was the 26th world record of a 15-year career which has seen him win world titles or set world records at every distance from 1500m up.

He won world indoor gold at the metric mile in 1999 and has two Olympic and four World 10,000m titles. He has held the world best at 2000, 3000, 5000m, and 10,000m, as well as two miles, 20,000m, one hour, half marathon, 10k, 15k and 10 miles on the road.

Yesterday's victory earned him a £39,000 prize, plus the same again for the record. And he could be back in the city next year when the World Championships are staged there. That marathon is not over the same course, but a four-lap one which starts and finishes at the Brandenburg Gate. After yesterday's landmark he said: "I can run 2hr 3min 30sec or something like that. It is possible, but now I'm running against my age as well. This is just a record, and tomorrow someone can break it. There are so many good runners, and I suppose I will just have to run faster."

Gebrselassie suffered a minor calf injury two weeks ago, but showed no sign of that in perfect conditions, easing away from his only remaining rival, James Kwambai, in the last six kilometres. Kenyan Kwambi carved more than five minutes from his previous best as he finished in 2:05.36 with compatriot Charles Kamathi third in 2:07.48.

"This race was fantastic even compared to last year," said Gebrselassie. "What can you say? The pace-making from the beginning to the end was perfect, and I have never seen weather like this. It just happens once in a lifetime."

His pace equates to just inside 4:45 for every mile. Last Briton to hold the world best was Steve Jones, with 2:08.05, nearly 24 years ago.

Irina Mikitenko scored her second major success of the year with 2:19:19. Winner in London in April, she is now fourth all time behind Paula Radcliffe, Catherine Ndereba and Mizuki Noguchi.