Haile Gebrselassie to run in BUPA Great Birmingham Run

Birmingham, UK –Ethiopia’s premier athlete Haile Gebrselassie, who lost his world record in the Marathon less than one month ago, said that he will return to the roads at the inaugural BUPA Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon on Sunday, October 23.

Gebrselassie confirmed his participation in Birmingham earlier this week while visiting Soweto in South Africa, where he is doing charity work for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. During his illustrious career, the 38-year-old has won two Olympic 10,000m gold medals, four IAAF World Championship titles over the distance and set 26 World records in competitions ranging from 2,000m to the Marathon.

Haile dropped out of last month’s BMW Berlin Marathon due to breathing problems after 35 kms, and was forced to watch Patrick Makau of Kenya claim the World record in the Marathon with his extraordinary 2:03:38 run.

The loss has not however deterred him as he remains determined to qualify for the Ethiopian team over the distance and take part in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Article source: http://www.ethiopiansinamerica.com/2011/10/12/haile-gebrselassie-to-run-in-great-birmingham-bupa-run/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=haile-gebrselassie-to-run-in-great-birmingham-bupa-run