Marathon Record Lowered By Half A Minute

Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie Presses The Limits Of Endurance In Berlin

(AP)  Haile Gebrselassie broke the world record Sunday in winning the Berlin Marathon in two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds.

The 34-year-old Ethiopian lowered the mark of 2:04:55 by friend and Kenyan Paul Tergat four years ago by 29 seconds on the German capital's flat fast course, where six world records have been set.

In the women's race, his countrywoman Gete Wami defended her title in 2:23:17.

Gebrselassie picked up the pace over the last six miles, running alone without pacemakers, after he trailed the record by half-a-dozen seconds at the halfway point.

His furious pace carried him through the giant pillars of the Brandenburg Gate in downtown Berlin and he broke into a smile over the final yards as it became clear he would accomplish the feat in his second try in Berlin.

His arms flew up in triumph as he broke the tape.

"Don't ask me how I am," Gebrselassie said. "It's very special, spectacular."

This was the 25th world record for the Ethiopian, a two-time Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters. Kenyans Abel Kirui in 2:06:51 and Salim Kipsang in 2:07:29 finished second and third on Sunday.

Gebrselassie faded over the final miles last year in a failed bid at the record, settling for last year's fastest marathon of the year at 2:05:56.

This time, vowing again to break Tergat's mark, he upped his training mileage before the event. His record was also helped by a cool calm day.

"Today, there was a little wind, but otherwise perfect," he said.

The win helped him ease a painful memory, when he dropped out of the star-studded London Marathon in the spring. Later, he was diagnosed with allergies.

"That was very sad. I could not sleep at all the night after that and this experience still follows me until today," Gebrselassie said.

Wami picked up points in her bid to claim the $500,000 offered for winning the first World Marathon Majors Series. The former Olympic 10,000 champion is locked in a battle for the prize money with Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia.

Germany's Irina Mikitenko was second in 2:24:52 and Kenyan Helena Kirop finished third in 2:26:27.

Gebrselassie picked up $71,000 for the win and the same amount in a world record bonus. He also reportedly earned $357,000 in appearance money.

The Berlin Marathon is the fourth-largest marathon in the world, drawing 40,000 to the race and another 8,000 entries in special events.

[goldesprit]

Winning and setting such a good example in this marathon is a great thing, and we must respect a part of our lives that can not take a back seat to those who would hijack this forum for obviously desperate reasons.
If you are obsessed with another topic-- chose a closer news story-- idiot.

[getloud1]

If you think he doesn''t have a chance, go to www.youtube.com and search for "Ron Paul Revolution" and I think you will be shocked and maybe even proud to be an American again!

[rational_1]

So, what was Ron Paul''s time in the Berlin Marathon?
He wasn''t in it? Oh, so you''re just submitting posts irrelevant to the story in the hopes of irritating people - well you succeeded.

It''s amazing that someone could run just under 13 mph for two hours straight. I commute roughly that distance (largely by highway) and it takes me over half an hour. These guys may not be able to benchpress a couple of donuts, but they sure have amazing endurance and speed. Congrats to Gebrselassie!

[hissteps4u]

RON WHO????????

Get real. he does not have a chance in hades in todays political arena. might as well vote for micky mouse he would garner more votes than Ron Paul I think and he is not even real! LOL

[getloud1]

***** Stop The War & Corporate Corruption *****

Why Don''t You Know Ron Paul??????

The corporate media will not give Ron Paul any Exposure. Because, NBC is owned by GE. GE is one of the world''s largest war-makers. They make things that go boom. They make $Billions on war. A Ron Paul administration would be bad for business. CNN is owned by AOL. Majority share holder is Saudi Royal Talal who is also partners with GHWBush in The Carlyle Group. Another major warmaker. And on and on. You get the picture. This is why they are doing a Media Blackout on him. Because they don''t WANT YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!!

Who is Ron Paul?
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/about

Join A ReVoLuTiOn Group In Your City:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/

Ron Paul Has WON 10 Straw-Polls!:
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/straw-poll-results/

RESTORE YOUR LIBERTY & FREEDOM
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT RON PAUL 2008!

He Will:

** Stop Iraq War Immediately
** Eliminate IRS
** Eliminate Federal Reserve
** Eliminate Government Wasteful Spending
** Restore America''s Work Force & Values
** Restore America''s Freedom!

GET UP AND GET ACTIVE TODAY!!!
Paul Is America''s Last Hope!