Haile Gebrselassie with Edmonton 10,000m bronze (© Getty Images)
Ethiopia’s four time World 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie, “the Emperor” as his countrymen have dubbed him, made a spectacular return to competition after a year hampered by a calf injury, by winning the QSI 10km Road Race this afternoon in 27:02, a new world best (loop course) for the road race distance and capturing a prize purse of one million US dollars.
Running in windy conditions with temperatures of 24c degrees, Gebrselassie took charge of the two lap race after approximately 6.5km, breaking away from a lead group, which contained the Kenyans Francis Kiprop and James Kipketer, and fellow Ethiopians Worku Bikila (pace) and Hailu Mekkonen.
The first kilometre was run in a fast 2:33, which Gebrselassie’s manager Jos Hermens later confirmed was ten seconds inside the pace required to beat Sammy Kipketer’s world best mark of 27:11 and claim the one million dollar prize.
Half way was passed in 13:39, but once Gebrselassie took control, the race result and the record were never in doubt, with the Ethiopian distance running master, who is also the double Olympic 10,000m champion eventually winning from Mekkonen and Kiprop in that order.
Gebrselassie commenting before the official press conference was ecstatic about his comeback.
“The first kilometre was a little bit fast and I was a little nervous but everything turned out so well…it’s really fantastic.”
“This race was to help me access my fitness and I am very pleased though I still need more speed. I would say I was at between 75 to 80% of the level I hope to achieve next year.”
“I want to run 3000m at the World Indoor championships next winter and so speed is a very important part of my running for that and my other goal of the 10,000m in Paris (outdoor World Championships).”
“Yes I have decided to leave the marathon until at least after Paris but I would never want to leave my career at that event with a defeat (came third in 2002 London Marathon on his debut). I know that I will eventually become completely a marathon runner and leave the track altogether, and so no, my marathon career is not at an end.”
“As I said today has been a fantastic result for my confidence, after my injury problems. My next race is likely to be indoors in Stuttgart.”
In the women’s race, fellow Ethiopian Derartu Tulu, the World and Olympic 10,000m champion took the win, with compatriot Geta Wami in second.
NB. Split times are unofficial.
Course was a two lap loop course.
Men:
1. Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) 27:02 World Best
2. Hailu Mekonnen (ETH) 27:39
3. Francis Kiprop (KEN) 27:49
Women:
1. Derartu Tulu (ETH) 32:23
2. Gete Wami (ETH) 32:27
3. Kutre Dulecha (ETH) 32:29
IAAF
