Home » News and Media » News » 2008 » September » Next stop Melbourne for Gebrselassie
28.09.2008
The man regarded as the greatest distance runner of all time, produced a stunning display of distance running to stop the clock at two hours three minutes and 59 seconds – 27 seconds quicker than the 2:04.26 he set in the same race last year.
The 35-year-old Ethiopian’s next assignment is a clash with Australia’s Craig Mottram over 15km on the streets of Melbourne in the HBA Great Australian Run on Sunday 30 November.
After skipping the marathon in Beijing to focus on the 10,000m, where he finished sixth, Gebrselassie turned his attention to the marathon in Berlin with stunning effect.
In ideal conditions on a flat and fast course, the leaders passed half way in 1:02.03, and Gebrselassie remained on world record pace to 30km, at which point the posse of pacemakers left the course and a battle with Kenyan James Kwambai quickly developed.
The gallant Kenyan went stride for stride for the next 5km with the duo dropping slightly off world record schedule. But at 35km, Gebrselassie raised the tempo, with Kwambai succumbing to the amazing pace set by the Ethiopian veteran.
The Kenyan, who’s best previous result was a second place finish at the Boston marathon in 2007, was running more than six minutes quicker than his lifetime best of 2:10:20.
Kwambai held on gallantly to finish second in 2:05:36, the eighth fastest time in history, with 2001 world 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi of Kenya third in 2:07.48.
Continuing a recent tradition of a world record every five years in Berlin, Gebrselassie has followed in the footsteps of Brazilian Ronaldo da Costa who clocked a stunning 2:06.05 to win a decade ago in the 25th edition of the event.
Five years ago it was Paul Tergat of Kenya who claimed the world record, clocking 2:04.55 in the 30th edition to become the first man in history to break the 2:05 barrier.
This time it was the sub 2:04 milestone with Gebrselassie making it three in a row with a world record to celebrate the 35th edition of one of the world’s biggest running events.
The inaugural HBA Great Australian Run will provide the weekend warrior with the chance to run with the world’s best, on a fantastic and unique street circuit through the streets of Melbourne – starting and finishing on the Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park.
The HBA Great Australian Run is part of the world’s biggest mass participation running programme and will make its Southern Hemisphere debut in Australia’s sporting capital on Sunday 30 November, 2008.
Entries are now open, via www.greataustralianrun.com.au
News
Next stop Melbourne for Gebrselassie
The mercurial Haile Gebrselassie has become the first man in history to break two hours and four minutes for the marathon, breaking his own world record to win his third consecutive Berlin marathon.The man regarded as the greatest distance runner of all time, produced a stunning display of distance running to stop the clock at two hours three minutes and 59 seconds – 27 seconds quicker than the 2:04.26 he set in the same race last year.
The 35-year-old Ethiopian’s next assignment is a clash with Australia’s Craig Mottram over 15km on the streets of Melbourne in the HBA Great Australian Run on Sunday 30 November.
After skipping the marathon in Beijing to focus on the 10,000m, where he finished sixth, Gebrselassie turned his attention to the marathon in Berlin with stunning effect.
In ideal conditions on a flat and fast course, the leaders passed half way in 1:02.03, and Gebrselassie remained on world record pace to 30km, at which point the posse of pacemakers left the course and a battle with Kenyan James Kwambai quickly developed.
The gallant Kenyan went stride for stride for the next 5km with the duo dropping slightly off world record schedule. But at 35km, Gebrselassie raised the tempo, with Kwambai succumbing to the amazing pace set by the Ethiopian veteran.
The Kenyan, who’s best previous result was a second place finish at the Boston marathon in 2007, was running more than six minutes quicker than his lifetime best of 2:10:20.
Kwambai held on gallantly to finish second in 2:05:36, the eighth fastest time in history, with 2001 world 10,000m champion Charles Kamathi of Kenya third in 2:07.48.
Continuing a recent tradition of a world record every five years in Berlin, Gebrselassie has followed in the footsteps of Brazilian Ronaldo da Costa who clocked a stunning 2:06.05 to win a decade ago in the 25th edition of the event.
Five years ago it was Paul Tergat of Kenya who claimed the world record, clocking 2:04.55 in the 30th edition to become the first man in history to break the 2:05 barrier.
This time it was the sub 2:04 milestone with Gebrselassie making it three in a row with a world record to celebrate the 35th edition of one of the world’s biggest running events.
The inaugural HBA Great Australian Run will provide the weekend warrior with the chance to run with the world’s best, on a fantastic and unique street circuit through the streets of Melbourne – starting and finishing on the Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park.
The HBA Great Australian Run is part of the world’s biggest mass participation running programme and will make its Southern Hemisphere debut in Australia’s sporting capital on Sunday 30 November, 2008.
Entries are now open, via www.greataustralianrun.com.au
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