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Ethiopian distance legend, Haile Gebrselassie won the Almeria Half-Marathon
Gebrselassie’s return to competition after a 5-month lay-off period
2005-01-30
Today, Ethiopian distance legend, Haile Gebrselassie won the Almeria 1/2 Marathon in Spain. In fair conditions (10 degrees celcius, cloudy, a bit windy), Gebrselassie ran 1.01.46, breaking the course record of 1.02.31 by 45 sec.Succesfull operation
Gebrselassie, who had a succesfull operation just after the Olympic Games in Finland had a 1 minute and 7 seconds lead over Kenyan Alex Kirui, while Abraham Aiyabei (KEN) finished 3rd in 1.04.57.
Fitness test - I am back!
Gebrselassie confirmed that he ran an easy race, as he wanted to test his fitness level after the operation and first period of renewed intense training: "I am sure that I could had ran much faster, but there was no reason to do so. I am training well again and just needed to find some reference in regards to my shape. I started easy at 3.05 pace per km and ran the middle part a bit faster, before slowing down a bit at the last few kilometers.
I am satisfied. This race confirmed my feeling. I am back!"
Gebrselassie will fly to London this afternoon, to attend a press conference of the Flora London Marathon tomorrow.
Results
Almeria 1/2 Marathon (Spain):
1. Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) 1.01.46 (Course Record, former CR 1.02.31)
2. Alex Kirui (KEN) 1.02.53
3. Abraham Aiyabei (KEN) 1.04.57
Edgar de Veer
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