DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Haile Gebrselassie easily won the Dubai Marathon on Friday, but said steady rain throughout the race hampered his bid to claim the $1 million bonus on offer for breaking his own world record.
Gebrselassie finished in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 29 seconds — just 90 seconds off his record — to narrowly beat compatriots Deressa Edae Chimsa (2:07.54) and Wendimu Tsige (2:08.41).
The Ethiopians also dominated the women’s event, with Bezunesh Bekele Sertsu winning in 2:24:02 after pulling away from countrywoman Atsede Habtamu Besuye (2:25.17) in the final stretch. Kenya’s Helena Loshanyang Kirop was third (2:25.35).
“Everybody was expecting me to break the world record here, but I am very pleased with the time I ran today,” said the 35-year-old Gebrselassie. “This is my best time in wet weather. It could have been much worse, but I’m really happy with the time.”
Gebrselassie was on pace to challenge his world mark of 2:03:59 set last year in Berlin. But he struggled against the rain in the second half of the race, which began at dawn along Dubai’s Gulf coastline.
“I saw the clouds ahead and it looked like it was going to be difficult,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not just about defeating time, sometimes you defeat yourself. When I saw the rain coming, I defeated myself. But it (a new record) will happen. I will come back next year.”
Sertsu, who finished second last year in Dubai, said the rain forced her to set a slower pace, but she had plenty left in the final stages to build her lead.
“Today was definitely one of the best races I’ve run,” said the 25-year-old.
Gebrselassie said his next goal is to attempt to reclaim the half-marathon record in The Hague, Netherlands, in March. Then there’s the 2012 Olympics, when he’ll be about eight months short of his 40th birthday.
“There’s a lot to look forward to in the future. We have the Olympic games in three years’ time and before that the 2010 Dubai Marathon. If you think about stopping somewhere it’s no good. You’ve got to think about doing more,” he added.
“If you set a date to retire; if you say you’re going to retire in two years’ time, you actually end up retiring at that very moment. So, I haven’t put any time (on retirement).”
Dubai is the world’s richest marathon. The $1 million world record bonus was in addition to the $250,000 winner’s check.
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Gebrselassie Wins Rain-Lashed Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
Haile Gebrselassie won a rain-soaked Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon yesterday (Friday) storming home in a time of 2h:05m:29s – over a minute outside of his own world record but still the eighth fastest time ever.
The flying Ethiopian went into the race with high hopes of breaking the 2h:03m:59s world record he set last year in Berlin.
But a torrential downpour late into the race and a slight headwind on the return leg along the Beach Road put paid to his record chances, despite a blistering first half that was 20 seconds inside world record pace
“When conditions get like this and you see the rain, you don’t think about records only about doing the best you can,” admitted Gebrselassie after finishing over two minutes ahead of runner-up Deressa Edae Chimsa (2h:07m:54s). “But there are always positives and this is my best ever time in conditions like these.”
Despite missing out on the US$ 1 million world record bonus on offer from Dubai Holding, Gebrselassie collected a cheque for US$ 250,000 and the winner’s trophy from Mattar Al Tayer, Vice President of Dubai Sports Council. Making it an Ethiopian clean sweep in third place was Eshetu Wendimu in a time of 2h:08m:41s.
Although Gebrselassie put a brave face on failing to beat his world best, there is no doubt he came into the race confident of what would have been world record number 27.
The early splits were good. Geb had indicated that a half marathon mark of 61m:45s would see him bang on record pace and at the half way point the time was exactly that, the pacemakers keeping the legendary runner on course some 20 seconds ahead of his record time.
Unfortunately, the head wind took its toll over the closing 10km, while his troubles increased with a torrential downpour that followed him all the way to the 2,000 cheering Ethiopians gathered at the finish line.
“The weather was not good to the spectators but still the sang to me as I came to the end of the race and I thank them for that,” added Gebrselassie. “I have no complaints today – the race organisation was fantastic but it was not to be.”
Making it an Ethiopian double, the diminutive Bezunesh Bekele claimed the Women’s US$ 250,000 first prize in a time of 2h:24m:02s, with compatriot Atsede Habtamu Besuye in second (2h:25m:17s) and Kenya’s Helena Kirop in third (2h:25m:35s).
Sponsored by Standard Chartered for the past five years and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon saw around 10,000 runners take to the streets of Dubai for the Marathon, the 10km and the 3km Fun Run.
Edging the honours in the men’s 10km was Eritrea’s Habtai Kifetsion who clocked the same time as Moussie Weldemichael (30m:12s) with Othmane Chaibi of Marocco third in 30m:32s.
In the women’s event, Emma Philips of Great Britain took first place in 37m:25s, more than two minutes ahead of Finland’s Anne Mari Hyrylainen (40m:12s) with Australian Amanda Peters in third in 41m:31s.
“Haile has again shown what a great champion he is,” said Event Director Peter Connerton. “The weather was terrible over the last portion of the race yet he still set the eighth fastest time in history – and the top three times are his already. I’m sure we all look forward to seeing him come back and win the Dubai event for a third time in a row.”
PUMA once again helped to encourage all the runners by drawing crowds to the PUMA Turn at the half-way point of race. The spirits of the runners were kept sky high as they were met with cheerleaders, music and crowds of supporters to push them on to the second half of the run, while PUMA’s focus on encouraging women to participate was well received at the Puma Women’s Marquee, where all female runners received free pampering treatments.
One female who captured the imagination was Jordanian Abeer Alsharif of the Achilles Track Club, the only female in the wheelchair Marathon, who completed her first ever event in a time of 2h:34m:07s
The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by Dubai Holding, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, PUMA, Arab Media Group (AMG), TNT and Fitness First with assistance provided by Dubai Sports Council, RTA, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police.