Kenenisa Bekele, September 25, 2016, photo by PhotoRun.net
Bekele wanted the WR
BERLIN (GER): Kenenisa Bekele was pleased to claim the Ethiopian record but was disappointed to miss the world record, informs organisers. “I’m so happy to have broken the Ethiopian record of Haile Gebrselassie. I’m a little disappointed as well, since I didn’t break the world record. But I hope I can come back here again and get a second chance. Towards the end of the race I had a few problems with my hamstrings but otherwise was ok,” he said. He earned 40 000 E prize money for win and 30 000 E for sub 2:04 time. Wilson Kipsang said the world record was the aim but hasn’t ruled out another crack at Kimetto’s mark. “I was going all out to break the world record but couldn’t quite do it. But there’s always another time. Overall I ran very well and felt very relaxed. It was a great race with Kenenisa Bekele, even though I finished second,” he said. Aberu Kebede just missed breaking the sub-2:20 mark but hopes to return next year to secure that time. “But I’m very happy to have won her for the third time. It was a big ambition to break 2:20 and it still is. I hope to have another chance to achieve this in Berlin,” she said. Kenenisa Bekele’s splits: 14:215km, 29:00 10km, 43:37 15km (14:39), 58:02 20km (14:37), 61:11 halfway, 1:12:47 25km (14:25), 1:27:30 30km (14:43), 1:42:01 35km (14:31), 1:56:55 40km (14:54). 10km splits: 29:00, 29:02, 29:28, 29:25. Halfway splits: 61:11/61:52.
