Dubai : Led by Haile Gebrselassie, the Ethiopian runners set the streets of Dubai ablaze to record a clean sweep in the men's category of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon yesterday. Ethiopian women too could have achieved the same honour but for Loshanyang Kirop of Kenya, who clinched the third place to spoil their party.
It was a particularly determined effort from Gebrselassie, who raced to his third consecutive victory here in 2:06:09 sec despite suffering severe back pain, though there was some disappointment for the thousands of Ethiopians, who had thronged the finish line to witness their hero break the world record again.
"I did not feel good when I got up today. I felt pain in my back but feel nice that I still won this race again," said Gebrselassie, who failed to improve on his own world record time of 2:03:59 set in the 2008 Berlin Marathon.
Gebrselassie finished 24 seconds ahead of his compatriot Chala Dechase Beyene and complimented him. "I am happy that Beyene ran a great race and for all Ethiopians who have done well today," added Gebrselassie, clutching his back in pain.
Beyene ran at his personal best of 2:06:33 to clinch second place and so did Eshetu Wedimu Tsige, who finished third with his personal best of 2:06:46.
The battle for the first place in the women's race was also intense. Mamitu Daska Molisa finished eight seconds ahead of Aberu Kebede Shewaye with a timing of 2:24:18. Shewaye reached the finish line in 2:24:26, ahead of Kirop, who finished in 2:24:54 for the third place.
Once again Dubai Holding's offer of $1 million [Dh3.67 million] for the world-record breaker remained intact. "I did aim for the world record but after the half-way mark I knew that it was difficult. I did not want to disappoint the thousands of my fans waiting for me at the finish line. It would have been a shock for them if they did not see me on the winners' podium. So I decided to go for a win, [rather] than for the record," said the 36-year-old Gebrselassie, who also warned that he is not too old to break the record again.
"This is not an indication I am old. Such pains and injuries do happen. I am sure I will be fine in two days," he said.
However, Gebrselassie is confident that the world record may soon be shattered in Dubai.
"In Dubai I have found everything which is the best. If I don't break the record, someone will. The course is good and the encouragement from the people is fantastic. To encourage the runner there is also the offer of $1 million so I am sure someone will attempt it and achieve it too here," he said, candidly admitting that it was not his day today.
Molisa said: "I am so happy at what I have achieved. It was my dream to win here and I am happy it happened today," she said after receiving her $250,000 prize.
Men:
1. Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopia, 2:06:09 seconds.
2. Chala Dechase Beyene, Ethiopia, 2.06.33.
3. Eshetu Wendimu Tsige, Ethiopia, 2.06.46.
Women:
1. Mamitu Daska Molisa, Ethiopia, 2.24.18.
2. Aberu Kebede Shewaye, Ethiopia, 2.24.26.
3. Helena Loshanyang Kirop, Kenya, 2.24.54.
Third home was another Ethiopian Eshetu, again in a personal best time of 2h:06m:46s.
"I slept in an awkward position and didn't feel right for the first 15km. By the half way stage I just wanted to win the race - the spectators at the finish are amazing and I knew that if Haile Gebrselassie were not on the podium it would be a big shock for them!"
In the women's race, Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska won a much closer women's race by eight seconds from fellow Ethiopian Aberu Shewaye in 2h:24m:18s with Helena Kiprop of Kenya third in 2h:24m:54s.
It was one of the hottest races in the history of marathon with some of the finest runners in the game from around the world arriving here for the run.
At a time when the world is reeling from economic recession, Dubai Marathon continues to be the richest marathon in the world.
Has the Dubai Marathon grown in stature over the years? Is the outcome of the event becoming too predictable?
