(BBC) Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record in Berlin on Sunday, posting an official time of two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds.
The 34-year-old Ethiopian beat the mark of 2:04:55 set by Kenya’s Paul Tergat in Berlin in September 2003.
Gebrselassie was already 32 seconds inside Tergat’s pace at the 10km mark and went through halfway at 62.29.
“This is wonderful, really special,” said Gebrselassie, who missed the record by 61 seconds in the 2006 race.
The mild weather conditions were almost ideal, with overcast skies for most of the race.
“Today it was perfect,” he added. “It was a little bit windy, but perfect. The spectators were great and gave me great support.”
The fast, flat course wound through nine districts of the German capital with a total inclination of just 30m.
Last year, Gebrselassie had faded in the final six kilometres in the face of a stiff headwind but this year the race organisers made sure there were enough pacesetters to take him through the 30km point.
Gebrselassie won four successive world titles and over 10,000m and set numerous world records on the track before turning to road racing late in his career.
Gete Wami of Ethiopia won the women’s race in a time of 2:23.17.
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FORUM | 6 Comments
Geat job Haile!
God bless you.
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September 30th, 2007 at 10:59 AM
This is wonderfull goodluck haile. you are the best of best I am proud to be ethiopian.
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September 30th, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Wow! Haile, we love you! You are the source of our proud, you are our asset. May god give you long live and health. I have no word to explain your effort and sacrifice. We learnt on hard way that how difficult is just running 10km by participating on your great run in Addis. Your victory is very special. Now, I am chearing with my friends here in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. I am indebted to all ethiopian great runners! Cheers all of you and all Ethiopians all lovers of Haile.
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September 30th, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Wow! Haile, we love you! You are the source of our proud, you are our asset. May god give you long live and health. I have no word to explain your effort and sacrifice. We learnt on hard way that how difficult is just running 10km by participating on your great run in Addis. Your victory is very special. Now, I am chearing with my friends here in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. I am indebted to all ethiopian great runners! Cheers all of you, all Ethiopians and all lovers of Haile.
[Reply]
September 30th, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Enem Ende Haile.Yichalal….
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September 30th, 2007 at 1:40 PM
You are always special and great person for Ethiopia. May God be with u always in everything with a lot of love!!!
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October 2nd, 2007 at 1:06 PM