[dehai-news] (IAAF) Zersenay Tadese sets a scorching world record at Lisbon Half-Marathon


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From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Mon Mar 22 2010 - 07:41:45 EST


http://www.iaaf.org/LRR10/news/newsid=56209.html
Scorching 58:23 World Half Marathon record by Tadese in Lisbon! - UPDATED

All smiles - Zersenay Tadese smashing the World Record in the Half Marathon
in Lisbon (Marcelino Almeida)

All smiles - Zersenay Tadese smashing the World Record in the Half Marathon
in Lisbon (Marcelino Almeida)
relnews

    * Tadese jubilant after fourth success in Birmingham

Lisbon, Portugal – Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea smashed the World record in
the Half Marathon today, clocking 58:23* at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon.

Tadese, the winner of four successive World Road Running and World Half
Marathon titles, eclipsed the mark of 58:33 set by Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru in
2007.

Following the uncooperative weather the day before this IAAF Gold Label Road
Race, nobody expects great things from the race today, but the Gods
protecting this event came through. After a little bit of fog appeared on
Lisbon’s famous 25 Abril Bridge, the sun was smiling through the clouds
throughout the race.

So, that was the perfect signal everybody wanted as the race commenced. With
the start at sea level (without crossing the bridge) the elite field ran
against the clock as the organisers predicted.

By the 10th kilometre (27:53), the race was practically defined. By then,
Tadese was running alone against the clock - the rabbits lasted for only
nine kilometers – and produced the race of life. So far, that is!

20Km World record first to fall

Inside of World record pace, even when he reached 15Km in 41:33 (four
seconds behind Felix Limo’s 41:29 World record set in 2001), Tadese forced
the pace to another level. The Half Marathon World record was well within
reach when he crossed the 20Km marker in 55:21*, 27 seconds faster then
Haile Gebrselassie’s World record of 55:48 set in 2006.

The reigning World silver medallist in the 10,000m forged onward to clock
58:23, smashing by 10 seconds Wanjiru’s mark set at The Hague in 2007.

“I felt very good, and looking for a performance just like that,” said
Tadese, who had a previous personal best of 58:59 over the distance set at
the 2007 World Half Marathon Championships in Udine, Italy.

“I’m in a good shape. Kilometre after kilometre I achieved more courage and
determination and always believed that I can get the world record.”

Afterwards, Tadese opened the window to the near future. “I hope to be in
the same shape and to use the same skills to try for the world record in the
London Marathon.” Impressed the event’s organisation, Tadese promised to
return to what he described as “ a marvelous city and course!”

By the 10th kilometre is was clear that there were two races today, Tadese’s
run against the clock, and the one for the runner-up spot. By the 15th
kilometre Kenyan Sammy Kitwara, the winner of 2009 Rotterdam Half Marathon
and the 2008 Paris Half Marathon, was 24 seconds behind Tadese, and by the
finish the margin didn’t change. He was second in 59:47, a personal best,
ahead of his compatriot Emmanuel Mutai, the 2009 World silver medalist in
the Marathon, who clocked 1:00:03, also a personal best.

Duncan Kibet (1:00:21) was fourth and Gilbert Masai (1:00:28) fifth, both
with personal bests.

Two-time World Marathon champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco was still in
contention for a podium spot at 15Km, but faded in the waning stages to
finish a distant sixth in 1:00:33.

Amid the African domination, former European 10,000m champion “Chema”
Martinez of Spain was the first European across the line, finishing 11th in
1:02:52, 46 seconds ahead of the first Portuguese, Hermano Ferreira, who was
13th with 1:03:38.

Arusei dominates women’s race

With the spotlight on the men contest, the women race didn’t get quite the
same attention, with the results considerably more modest.

As in the men’s race, Peninah Arusei was in the lead from the early stages,
and passed 15Km in 48:14, more than 1:30 ahead of her closest pursuer. The
winner of the 2010 Koyang Half Marathon and 2009 Berlin Half Marathon,
didn’t falter en route to her 1:08:38 victory, eight seconds slower than
American Kara Goucher’s course record set last year. But she was well clear
of the runner-up Askale Tafa of Ethiopia who clocked 1:10:46.

Finishing off the podium, at age 40, was local heroine Fernanda Ribeiro. The
former Olympic, World and European 10,000m champion clocked 1:12:17.

“It is fantastic being in the podium of a race of this dimension,” said
Ribeiro, who is still very much revered in Portugal. “I’m very happy to be
here, and achieving this podium for the third time in my career.” In
previous appearances, Ribeiro finished second in 1999, third in 2000, and
fourth in 2006.

IAAF President Diack pleased with race organisation

Among the guests this year was IAAF President Lamine Diack, who was invited
to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the race. Diack was especially
pleased to be on hand to witness Tadese’s World record on his first visit to
this race.

Among the runners was Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates.

António Manuel Fernandes for the IAAF

Leading Results -

Men -
1. Zersenay Tadese ERI 58.23 WR*
2. Sammy Kitwara KEN 59.47 PB
3. Emmanuel Mutai KEN 1.00.03 PB
4. Duncan Kibet KEN 1.00.21 PB
5. Gilbert Masai KEN 1.00.28 PB
6. Jaouad Gharib MAR 1.00.33
7. Gedion Ngatuny KEN 1.01.07
8. Mathew Kisorio KEN 1.01.10
9. Samuel Kosgei KEN 1.01.57
10. Ernest Kebenei KEN 1.02.01
11. “Chema” Martinez ESP 1.02.52
12. Silas Sang KEN 1.02.57
13. Hermano Ferreira POR 1.03.38
14. Alberto Chaíça POR 1.03.52
15. Luís Feiteira POR 1.04.38

Women -
1. Peninah Jerop Arusei KEN 1.08.38
2. Askale Tafa ETH 1.10.46
3. Fernanda Ribeiro POR 1.12.17
4. Maria Jose Pueyo ESP 1.13.21 PB
5. Olga Glok RUS 1.14.00
6. Ksenia Agafonova RUS 1.14.24
7. Elizaveta Grechishnikova RUS 1.14.30
8. Mónica Rosa POR 1.14.35
9. Constantina Dita 1.14.39
10. Cruz Nonata da Silva BRA 1.14.59 PB

* pending the usual ratification procedures

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