Gebrselassie fell just short of Tergat's record

Gebrselassie's provisional time was two hours five minutes 56 seconds, one minute and one second outside Paul Tergat's record set in Berlin in 2003.

Gete Wami's win in the women's race ensured an Ethiopian double.

Leading from the start, her provisional time of 2:21.33 was the fourth fastest time in the world this year.

With his nearest rival nearly five minutes behind him, Gebrselassie was left to do much of the running on his own.

"I'm sure this is the place to set a world record, but when you're alone it's very difficult to push. You need someone to assist you," he said afterwards.

"I was OK going through halfway.

"I knew I had a chance of breaking the world record but the last five kilometres really hurt me and I couldn't push at all."

Gebrselassie has now set his sights on the 2008 Beijing Olympic marathon.

"Victory in Berlin has given me more confidence for the marathon at the Olympics, though I have to qualify for the Ethiopian team for Beijing first," he said.

The 33-year-old also has his eyes on Tergat's world record.

"I admire Paul greatly, but I think I can break the record sometime in the next year," said Gebrselassie, who plans to run the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan on 3 December.

Berlin Marathon men's result:

1 H Gebrselassie (Eth) 2:05:56
2 G Shentema (Eth) 2:10:43
3 K Umeki (Jpn) 2:13:43
4 T Yae (Eth) 2:15:04
5 A Ezzobayry (Fr) 2:15:27
6 D El Himer (Fr) 2:16:43

Berlin Marathon women's result:
1 G Wami (Eth) 2:21:34
2 S Kosgei (Ken) 2:23:22
3 M Drybulska (Pol) 2:30:12
4 A Gigi (Eth) 2:32:32
5 M Narloch (Bra) 2:35:27
6 M Kraus (Ger) 2:35:37