The 31-year-old, a three-time Olympic champion and five-time outdoor world champion on the track who remains the world record holder over 5,000 metres and 10,000m, paced his effort perfectly before breaking clear after 25 kilometres to win by more than a minute.

His time was eight seconds quicker than the previous record set by Kenya's Stanley Biwott in 2012.

Fellow Ethiopian Limenih Getachew came home second in 2:06:48, with Luka Kanda of Kenya, winner of the Rome Marathon in 2012, finishing third in 2:07:59. 

"It was my first marathon and I didn't have much experience," Bekele said.

"It was very tough but it was the time I expected.

"After 25km I pushed alone but it was very tough." 

In making a successful transition from the track to the road, Bekele emulated his compatriot Haile Gebrselassie, who graduated from Olympic champion on the track to a successful marathon runner who twice broke the marathon world record.

The performance also comes at an intriguing time just one week ahead of the much anticipated marathon debut in London  next Sunday (April 13) of Britain's reigning Olympic and world5,000m and 10,000m champion Mo Farah, who Bekele beat over the half marathon distance at the Great North Run last September.

Flomena Cheyech won the women's race at the Paris Marathon ©AFP/Getty Images



In the women's race, Kenya's Flomena Cheyech dominated proceedings, winning in a time of 2:22:41, more than three minutes ahead of Ethiopian rival Yebrgual Melese.

A second Ethiopian, Zemzem Ahmed, finished third in 2:29:34.

"I'm very happy, the course was good," Cheyech said.

"I wasn't that fast but in the middle of the race, I felt confident and just told myself to keep running."

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