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I will be tempted for more victories: Bekele
Bezunesh Bekele of Ethiopia did what she could not do in last year's Dubai Marathon. Despite recording an impressive 2:23:09 and clinching a place among the top ten fastest debuts in marathon history, she could only finish second.
- By K.R.Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:33 January 16, 2009
- Bezuneh Bekele runs along Jumeirah Beach Road during the Dubai Marathon.
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
Dubai: Bezunesh Bekele of Ethiopia did what she could not do in last year's Dubai Marathon. Despite recording an impressive 2:23:09 and clinching a place among the top ten fastest debuts in marathon history, she could only finish second.
Yesterday she breasted the tape gleefully to achieve what she missed last year.
"It is so nice to win the race that I lost in my debut. I feel this is my best race," said Bekele, after taking 2:24:02 to reach the finish line.
She paced herself so well that her compatriot Astede Habtamu Besuye, who finished second, could only complete the race in 2:25:17.
"I started running only from around the age of 18. My first preference was half marathon," said Bekele, who will celebrate her 26th birthday on January 29.
It was her performance in the World Half Marathon in 2007 in Italy that gave her the confidence to attempt the marathon in Dubai.
"I had finished with a timing of 1:08:07 during the IAAF Half Marathon World Championship in Italy and I felt nice," she said.
Last year was a glorious one for Bekele. "I ran in 10km, 5,000 metres, and 10,000 metres and did well," said Bekele, who in the 10km race in the Bupa Great Manchester clocked 32:33, and in the 5,000metres finished in 15:02:48.
Bekele pocketed prize money of $250,000 for her first place yesterday.
When asked what does she plans to do with the money, Bekele said: "Frankly I haven't even thought about it. Maybe I will start planning after I get the money in my hand."
However, she admitted that the win here will now motivate her to record more victories.
"I want to improve my time and run in more races. I will now eat what other athletes eat, to be stronger and better," she said.
"I will now return to my home in Addis Ababa and train for my next marathon in Boston," she said.
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