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A dream chase for Chimsa Chimsa happy to finish second
From a seventh place finish in the last year's Dubai Marathon to second position is a long but creditable journey for Deressa Edae Chimsa of Ethiopia.
- By K.R.Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:33 January 16, 2009
Dubai: From a seventh place finish in the last year's Dubai Marathon to second position is a long but creditable journey for Deressa Edae Chimsa of Ethiopia.
He won the $100,000 prize money for being runner-up, clocking 2:07:54 and finishing behind his compatriot and hero Haile Gebrselassie.
"It was a pleasure running behind Haile. I enjoyed every moment of yesterday's race," said a cheerful Chimsa, who recorded his best time in the marathon.
"Haile is our country's hero and it is nice to finished behind him," he added.
Although Chimsa had finished seventh last year, his timing of 2:08:16 was his personal best.
"It is nice to better my best. However, I could not have raced past Haile to win the race. He was too fast and too good," he admitted.
Although he turned 32 last November, Chimsa feels he can keep winning. "I am so happy that I could finish second. What I did today is nice and it can guide me to improve more," he said.
It was Eshetu Wendimu, who made it a clean sweep for the Ethiopians by finishing third.
Wendimu was making his marathon debut. He decided to take part based on his performance of 1:00:01 in last year's Berlin half marathon.
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