Heat Gets to Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin

23 SEP2009

A record number of 40,923 runners from 122 nations had entered the 36th Berlin Marathon. Around one million spectators lined the streets. Weather conditions were very good for the early part of the race, though it was warmer during the later stage and many runners found their times being affected by the 25C temperature. Even the great man himself, Haile Gebrselassie, struggled towards the end of the race but still managed to become the first runner to win the Berlin Marathon for a fourth time. Atsede Besuye made it an Ethiopian double by winning the women's race.

Men's Race

Haile Gebrselassie won Sunday's Berlin Marathon in 2:06:08, missing his own world record of 2:03:59 after slowing considerably during the final seven kilometres. Francis Kiprop (Kenya) finished second in 2:07:04, with Ethiopa's Negari Terfa earning third place with 2:07:41.

The first Scot home was Shettleston Harrier Jethro Lennox who finished in 35th position, with a time of 2:25:25, a little slower than his London time of 2:24:11. Cambuslang's Alan Macpherson achieved a new PB, finishing with a time of 2:32:09 in 71st place. Giffnock North's George Taylor (M45) also achieved a PB, with a time of 2:26:37 in 129th spot.

Women's Race

The first four women all achieved personal bests with pride of place going to Atsede Besuye winning in 2:24:47. There was little to separate the next three finishers with Silvia Skvortsova (Russia) earning second spot with 2:26:24, whilst Mamitu Daska (Ethiopia) took third in her debut in 2.26:38. Italy's Rosaria Console took fourth place with 2:26:45.

The first Scot home was Hayley Haining of Kilbarchan AAC who finished tenth woman and third W35. Hayley finished well outside of her London 2008 time of 2: 29:18 with a time of 2:36:08.