James Preston broke the 62-year-old record in Germay set by Sir Peter Snell. Photo: Athletics NZ (file)
The 27-year-old middle-distance runner crossed the finish line in Pfungstadt, in a time of 1:44:04 - which not only got him into the record books, but also attained the Olympic qualifying standard.
Snell set his time of 1:44:3 in 1962 in Christchurch.
Preston went below the 1:45 mark for the first time in March this year.
In Germany, Preston was followed across the line by New Zealand's Brad Mathas who finished second in a time of 1:45:80.
