Haile Gebrselassie wins Lisbon Half Marathon

(IAAF) Lisbon, Portugal - Haile Gebrselassie dominated the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon from the start and made a solitary race after the 10th kilometre en route to his victory in 59:15 In the women’s field the race had a emotional finish with Kenyan Salina Kosgei achieving her third victory in Lisbon.

Near the 5 km race (in an official time of 14:00 min) Haile, with the Kenyans Charles Kamathi and Robert Cheuiyot, took the lead from a small group, but from the 10th kilometre, the Ethiopian ran alone, without “rabbits”, and so, the split times where below the requirements for an attack on the World record. With 27:59 (10 km) and 42:03 (15 km), Gebrselassie struggled for the mark, and along with it, a 50,000 euros bonus.

Haile said: "I tried to push myself for a better performance but I couldn’t do better. It’s a little bit hot, I’m feeling well, but I couldn’t achieve my goal. It’s no excuse, but I’m a litlle bit worried about my father’s health. I’m in good shape and I can’t tell why I couldn’t run faster.”

Behind him, the battle for second place was very tough, with Cheruiyot (six times on the podium in Lisbon without a victory) passing his compatriot Kamathi in the final metres.

Surprising with a fourth place showing was Samuel Karanja (1:01:52), ahead of the first Portuguese runner, Eduardo Henriques (1:02.08), who will turn 40 next week and who is preparing to compete at the upcoming IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, a few weeks after taking the Portuguese title.

Among the top ten runners, Portugal saw four runners, a strong position for them, ahead of well-known runners as Jaouad Gharib (10th), Nixon Kiprono (9th), and others.

Third victory for Kosgei

If, in the men’s race, Gebrselassie grabbed the lead and dominated the race, among the women, the title was in “game” during the entire race. All the favourites ran together, respecting each other’s form, and only in the last metres was everything solved with Salina Kosgei achieving her third title, after the wins in 2005 and 2006.

In the final “sprint”, Kosgei gained two seconds on her countrywomen Pamela Chepchumba, the 2007 World Road Running Championships bronze medalist, and to Souad Aït Salem, the 2004 World Half Marathon champion, who both finished with the same time of 1:09:59.

Off the podium, but very close, were the Ethiopians Berhane Adere and Tigist Tufa, who had impressed with a personal best, and Atsede Habtamu who finished sixth, under 1:11, as did Briton Jo Pavey, who was seventh in 1:10.39, also a personal best.

Among the Portuguese, Inês Monteiro was the best, in 11st place, with 01:12:33.

All performances of the elite athletes can be considered because the entire course was flat and measured in accordance with IAAF rules. The conditions were a little bit on the hot side, without wind.

António Manuel Fernandes for the IAAF

Leading Results -
Men:
1. Haile Gebrselassie ETH 59.15
2. Charle Kamathi KEN 1:00.45
3. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot KEN 1:00.50
4. Samuel Karanja KEN 1:00.52
5. Eduardo Henriques POR 1:02.10
6. Manuel Damião POR 1:03.07
7. Paulo Gomes POR 1:03.20
8. Hermano Ferreira POR 1:03.22

Women:
1. Salina Kosgei KEN 1:09.57
2. Pamela Chepchumba KEN 1:09.59
3. Souad Aït Salem ARG 1:09.59
4. Berhane Adere ETH 1:10.01
5. Tigist Tufa ETH 1:10.03
6. Atsede Habtamu ETH 1:10.15
7. Jo Pavey GBR 1:10.39
8. Madai Perez MEX 1:11.02