by Larry Eder
Haile Gebreselassie is ready to roll! On Sunday, May 17, he will be running a 10k in Manchester, UK. Then, on June 1, at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Haile will attempt to break his own world record for the hour run, one of the most grueling of all track events.
Photo by Photorun.net.
HAILE IN GOOD SHAPE
ADDIS ABABA (ETH): Legendary Haile Gebrselassie is in a good shape before Sunday´s 10 km road race in Manchester. His management confirmed that he sees it as the perfect preparation for his world record attempt in the 1 hour race in Hengelo on June 1 at FBK Games. He has been selected as a Young Global Leader for 2009 by the World Economic Forum The Forum of Young Global Leaders forms a unique global network of peers from diverse backgrounds and fields, and offers a highly visible opportunity to significantly impact world affairs and shape the global agenda. Gebrselassie has been selected in recognition of his record of professional accomplishments, his commitment to society and his potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership. Not only successful in running, Gebrselassie has built an impressive business emporium in Ethiopia. He has always been loyal to his country and choses to develop businessnesses in his home country to create employment and economic growth for Ethiopians. Having introduced several properties in Addis Ababa he will open his new hotel in November of this year. As well as this, Gebrselassie works and donates to several good causes for projects and works as an ambassador for Local Heroes that supports projects for schoolchildren in Ethiopia.
KANTER AGAIN SUPERB
LA JOLLA (USA, May 12): Estonian world and olympic winner Gerd Kanter finished his US stay with another great display of shape in La Jolla. After series x-67.53-x-69.35-x-69.47 he achieved his 22nd result of his career. In all his this years competitions he achieved marks over 69 metres. The discus star celebrated on May 6 his 30th birthday. His next competition should be on May 26 at Danek Memorial against Virgilijus Alekna in Turnov, Czech Republic. Second Egyptian Omar El Ghazaly achieved 64.92 and third Dutch Eric Cadee 64.75. Danish Kim Christensen registered 19.44 in shot put and US Becky Breisch won the women discus (59.94).
MAYER NEW AUSTRIAN RECORD
SALINAS (USA, May 12): Also in Salinas a discus competition was held and Austrian Gerhard Mayer confirmed his life-time shape. He again bettered the national record with 65.06 m. In the competition that meant second place as winning US Jarred Rome achieved 65.97 m.
GREAT 100 m IN CARSON
CARSON (USA): Saturday´s adidas track classic in Carson is promising first this years hot 100 m race with great field and first years sub 10 could be expected. Osaka world medalist Derrick Atkins of Bahamas will meet Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson of Trinidad. Also in the field co-world leader Travis Padgett, Kingston winner Darvis Patton, Antigua´s Daniel Bailey and Jamaican talent Yohan Blake.
OTHER NEWS
MADRID (ESP): Marta Dominguez is the new vice President of the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA). She was twice European champion and twice vice World champion in the 5.000m event. She substitutes Carlota Castrejana who became Director of Sports of the City of Madrid on May 4th.
LONDON (GBR): Pat Butcher´s latest blog is about steeple world record holder Saif Saed Shaheen named „On the road to 2012“ at http://www.globerunner.org/blog/?p=150.
BERLIN (GBR): Legendary Paul Tergat intends to continue his career for another one or two more years and intends to win another major marathon with a very fast time. The great Kenyan said this in Berlin at the previous weekend, where he could not compete in the BIG 25 Berlin due to a back problem after a fall in training. Paul Tergat still came to Berlin to help promote the race. It was in this city, where he became the first marathoner to clock a sub 2:05 time in 2003 (2:04:55). Paul Tergat stressed that he does not want to give up his goal of a personal record in the 25 k: “There are not many races at this distance. But I hope to be able to come back to the BIG 25 next year.†He may however return to Germany earlier than 9th May 2010. “German races are always very well organised,†said Paul Tergat. So the marathon events in Berlin on 20th September or Frankfurt on 25th October could well be suitable for him. “I want to win another major marathon with a fast time. I think about a big marathon but it is unlikely that it will be a World Marathon Majors race.†Speaking about recent developments in the marathon Paul Tergat said he does not believe in a sub two hour marathon. “I don’t think this will be possible in future because I believe that we are already near to the limit. To run 2:02 will be very, very hard. I think a time slightly above 2:03 is possible, but this also is getting really tough. If you run the first half faster than 61:30 minutes you will kill yourself.â€
INDIANAPOLIS (USA): USA Track & Field announced the Team USA in women marathon for Berlin World Championships. Leader is as informed already Kara Goucher. She will be joinedy by Desiree Davila and Paige Higgins who both qualified for the team based on their performances at the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Davila was the top U.S. finisher in Chicago last fall, finishing fifth in 2:31:33. Higgins finished eighth in 2:33:06. Based on their respective fourth and fifth place finishes at the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon, Zoila Gomez and Tera Moody will round out the five-person team.
EUGENE (USA): Olympic 400 m winner LaShawn Merritt plans to run a fast 300 m at Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on June 7. He said that for IAAF. He also said about his racing plan: “I’m running the 200 at the adidas Track Classic (16 May) this weekend, the 400 at the Reebok Grand Prix (30 May) in New York, a 300 at the Prefontaine Classic (7 June) and then the 400 at nationals. I actually hold the sea-level best in the 300, but I’m not sure yet what we’ll be gunning for there. But I’m really focused on the world championships. I’ve never won a world championship, and everything is pointing to that so when I get to Berlin I’ll be ready.â€
LONDON (GBR): UK Athletics has secured a four-year extension to its sponsorship deal with the shopping chain Spar UK. The deal will see Spar UK continue to back UKA‘s sprints programme until 2013. The tie-up began in 2004 and the programme has helped to bring through athletes such as Craig Pickering and Martyn Rooney.
Special thanks to Alfons Juck, EME News.
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