New York (AP): Haile Gebrselassie won the New York City Half Marathon in 59 minutes, 24 seconds on Sunday, cruising away two-thirds through the race to win his eighth half marathon in eight attempts.
Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Ethiopia, pulled away from Abdi Abdirahman of the United States shortly after they emerged from Central Park along with two-time Boston Marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya.
Hilda Kibet of Kenya won the women’s race in 1:10:32, outkicking defending champion Catherine Ndereba by 1.15 seconds. Nina Rillstone of New Zealand, a surprise leader until the last 500 meters when the two Kenyans passed her, was 3.75 back in third.
Near the 13-kilometer mark, the Somalia-born Abdirahman surged ahead to leave Cheruiyot behind, and then Gebrselassie left Abdirahman behind for the final eight kilometers of the race.
Gebrselassie appeared comfortable as he ran alone down the West Side highway. One fan near the finish at Battery Park on New York Harbor waved an Ethiopian flag in honor of Gebrselassie.
The temperature in Central Park was 70 degrees (21 Celsius) after a week of oppressive heat and humidity in New York.
Gebrselassie, who has won three marathons in the past two years, won gold in the 10,000 meters in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. His time was the second-fastest half marathon run in the United States, second only to his own 58:55 in Tempe, Arizona, last year.
Sport
FORUM | 7 Comments
BRAVO Haile!!!!!!
[Reply]
August 5th, 2007 at 10:04 AM
I would like to apprciate our hero Haile G/Silasea.Haile is not the only our hero but also our peace maker.And I would like to encourage Ethiopian Review,bsc the only website to distribute this news.Thanks ER.
Haile shows them who we are in the US land.
[Reply]
August 5th, 2007 at 11:23 AM
This man is a source of pride for all of us. And, in his interview with the hodaam ETV, he has demonstrated more political skill than Prof Ephrem. He said “he who is forgiving today could ask for forgiveness tomorrow”. You cannot be more direct than that. (Contrast that with the Prof showering Melles with praises.)
Bravo Haile! You make us proud.
[Reply]
August 5th, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Thank you Haile the great son and pride of Ethiopia and Africa. You have always worked hard to make Ethiopia shine and thrive on world stage. My God bless you and be with you always.You are our source of hope and inspiration for a better Ethiopia.
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August 6th, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Shmagile Haile Gebreselassie is truly a skilled statesman and athlete!
Congrats and all the very best!
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August 6th, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Great job Haile as usual your name describes you, but Ethiopia’s finish line should be the respect of Human rights and rule of law – that would bring us much more pride!!!!
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August 6th, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Haile our hero, Africa’s hero thank you, my appriciation is to ER too.
[Reply]
August 7th, 2007 at 12:58 AM