Patrick Makau Smashes Marathon World Record

Patrick Makau celebrates after taking 21 seconds off the world record in the marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Makau, left, runs alongside former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Makau averaged an incredible 4:43 per mile to win the race by over four minutes. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Women's world record holder Paula Radcliffe needed a good result to qualify for the British Olympic team. She got it with a 2:23:36 third-place finish. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Florence Kiplagat dominated the women's race, winning in 2:19:44. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Radcliffe, who has battled injury for the last few years, surprised many onlookers with her solid result on Sunday. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Makau had pacemakers for much of the race. Most 5-kilometer splits were in the range of 14:40. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Former world-record holder Haile Gebrselassie dumps water on his head at one of the aid stations. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Gebrselassie pulled to the side of the road after 35K. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Gebrselassie stopped and clutched his midsection for a minute and then tried to continue running. Photo: PhotoRun.net

After trying to resume running, Gebrselassie was eventually forced to call it quits for good before the 40K mark. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Makau said after the race: “At the halfway point I knew that I could break the record. It is the greatest day of my career.” Photo: PhotoRun.net

Kiplagat, who completed her first-ever marathon on Sunday, ran the 11th fastest women's marathon of all time. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Makau celebrates his world-record run. Photo: PhotoRun.net

The top-3 women, left to right: Irina Mikitenko (2nd, 2:22:18), Florence Kiplagat (1st, 2:19:44), Paula Radcliffe (3rd, 2:23:36). Photo: PhotoRun.net

Women's winner Florence Kiplagat. Photo: PhotoRun.net