Haile to run Berlin marathon

2008-07-24 14:35

Berlin - Long-distance legend Haile Gebrselassie will run this September's Berlin Marathon when he returns to the German capital where he set the current world record last year.

Gebrselassie has opted out of the marathon in Beijing at next month's Olympic Games and will focus on the 10 000m, having twice won Olympic gold over the distance in 1996 and 2000.

It was in Berlin last year where the Ethiopian set the current world mark of 2:04:26 for the marathon and the 35-year-old is hoping to go under the 2 hour four minute mark for the first time on September 28 in the German capital.

"We are happy that we managed to sign Haile Gebrselassie once again for this race," said Berlin Marathon organiser Mark Milde.

This year, Gebrselassie has run the fastest time of the year so far.

The Ethiopian won January's Dubai Marathon in January with 2:04:53, which is the second fastest ever run.

- AFP