Gebrselassie sails to course record in 'S Heerenberg 15Km

[Ryan]

'S Heerenberg, The Netherlands - Rain and wind did not prevent Haile Gebrselassie from breaking the course record of 42:42, set be his young compatriot Kenenisa Bekele six years ago at the Wincanton Montferland Run over 15 kilometres in the East Dutch village of 's Heerenberg. Just before the 14 kilometre point the multiple World record holder broke away from his last opponent Ali Mabrouk el Zaidi of Libya to clock 42.36. For his efforts, El Zaidi was rewarded with a national record of 42:42, finishing second.

Deribe Alemu gave Ethiopia a second victory by winning the womens race in 48:50. She was more than a minute ahead of compatriot Amelework Fikadu who took second place in 50:16.

Although the weather forecast did predict rain and wind, one before the start it looked as though the weather conditions wouldn't be as bad as predicted. But half an hour before the gun sounded it started to rain and the winds became stronger. The more than 3000 runners were lucky that parts of the ondulating course were sheltered by woods. But on the open parts of the loop course around 's Heerenberg, where despite the weather many spectators were cheering the athletes, the wind and rain were a nuisance.

IAAF article