The Hague (The Press Association) – Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia suffered a shock defeat in the Fortis City-Pier-City half-marathon in The Hague on Saturday, March 14.

Gebrselassie, whose aim was to regain the world record for the distance, was beaten in a close finish by Sammy Kitwara, winner of the World Best 10km road race in Puerto Rico.

Kitwara clocked a time of 59 minutes 48 seconds, which was an excellent performance in the wet and cold conditions as he powered away from his Ethiopian rival.

Fellow Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru’s world record of 58:33, achieved over the Dutch course two years ago, was never threatened.

Pauline Wangui won on Dutch soil again, easily taking the women’s race in the unofficial time of 70:49.

Her fellow Kenyan Catherine Ndereba, the Olympic marathon silver medallist, never mounted a challenge and had to settle for the runner-up spot in a time of 71:35.