FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Berlin, Sunday, Sept 30, 11:00GMT
This was his seventh attempt at the marathon, and Haile Gebrselassie
finally succeeded in one of the objectives he set himself when he launched
himself into the 42.2k race five years ago. He broke the world record in
the real,_Berlin Marathon today (Sunday), running 2.04.26, taking 29
seconds off the record of friend and rival, Paul Tergat of Kenya, who ran
2.04.55 in this same event in 2003.
"This was something special," said the 34 year old Ethiopian immediately
after he emerged from a scrum of photographers, water dripping from his
face from the bottle he upended on himself at the conclusion of his run on
a cool and overcast Berlin morning. "The conditions today were perfect,
last year was too windy (he ran 2.05.56). The spectators were wonderful, I
want to say thank you to the people of Germany".
After heavy rain on Saturday, the conditions were exactly as the diminutive
Ethiopian had said he preferred, 14C at the start, rising to 18C at the
finish shortly after 11am. It is the 24th record of Gebrselassie's career,
which shows no sign of abating. "I promised I'd run 2.03, that didn't
happen, maybe next time".
Right on cue, the race director's telephone rang, and Mark Milde passed the
phone to Gebrselassie, to receive congratulations from Tergat, calling from
Kenya. "Sorry Paul," said Gebrselassie, laughing, "I think I had better
conditions than when you ran the record. I'll tell Mark to invite you back
next year". Promising to be back in Berlin himself for the world
championships in 2009, Geb passed over the phone, and Tergat said, "That's
sport, records are made to be broken. I'm very happy for him, we are good
friends". Tergat said that his own next marathon was likely to be in
Fukuoka, Japan in early December, a race won by Gebrselassie last year.
It was four of Tergat's compatriots – Rodgers Rop, Wilson Kigen, Andrew
Limo and Peter Kiprotich, with fellow Ethiopian, Eshetu Wondimu - who
provided the springbord for Geb's record attempt, pacing him as far as 30
kilometres. None of the other elite tried to follow at all, even over the
first kilometres. The initial pace to 15 kilometres was on for a 2.04
finish, but dropped off such that by halfway, something just outside
Tergat's record seemed likely. But, despite being by himself for the last
12 kilometres (whereas Tergat was shadowed by colleague, Sammy Korir, who
finished just one second behind), the experience of running the course last
year was all the impetus that Gebrselassie needed.
"There was a bit of wind in my face, but at 27k, it was behind me. Then at
35k it was in front again, but not so much. After 20k, I knew I could break
the record, because I felt so good". This was Gebrselassie's 24th world
record, his first was in the 5000 metres in Hengelo, Netherlands in 1994.
This was also the sixth world record on Berlin's superfast course. Starting
with Christa Vahlensieck's 2.34.48 back in 1977, the dark ages of women's
marathoning, the recent records have been: 2.06.05 by Ronaldo da Costa of
Brazil in 1998, 2.20.43 by Tegla Laroupe of Kenya in 1999, the first
sub-2.20 women's marathon, 2.19.43 by Olympic champion, Naoko Takahashi of
Japan in 2001, and Tergat's 2.04.5 in 2003.
Gebrselassie was followed home in Berlin, at a distance, by three Kenyans.
In second place, over two minutes behind, was Abel Kirui, on 2.06.51, a
personal best by almost four minutes. Third was Salim Kipsang, also in a
personal best, 2.07.29. Fourth was 2005 Berlin winner, Philip Manyim, on
2.08.01.
Geb's colleague, Gete Wami also successfully defended her title, with a
solo run of 2.23.17. That was three quarters of a minute outside last year'
time, and she admitted that she cruised the last few kilometres, in
recognition of her plan to run the New York Marathon in just five weeks'
time. "I want to run New York," she said straight afterwards, and I want to
win the jackpot". New York, and Jelena Prokupcuka of Latvia are duly
warned. Wami's victory moves her into the lead of the rankings in the World
Marathon Majors, the two-year five event series, including Boston, London,
Berlin, Chicago and New York. If Wami prevents the Latvian winning a third
consective New York title, the Ethiopian will win the half million dollar
series prize herself.
Irina Mikitenko was second in Berlin, in 2.24.51, the fastest debut in
German women's marathoning history. Third was Helena Kirop of Kenya, in
2.26.27, also a personal best. But, happy as all the other top placers were
with their achievements, the day and the kudos belonged to Haile
Gebrselassie.
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