Sunday, 21 March 2010
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.
Tadese, also the reigning World silver medalist in the 10,000m, had a previous personal best of 58:59 over the distance, set at the 2007 World Half Marathon Championships in Udine, Italy.
On the way, Tadese also broke the World record over 20Km, clocking 55:21*. His performance eclipsed the 55:48 mark set by Haile Gebrselassie in Phoenix, USA, in 2006.
More details to follow.
IAAF
Tadese jubilant after fourth success in Birmingham (Getty Images)
Zersenay Tadese. FOTO AP
NEW WORLD BEST FOR TADESE
Zersenay Tadese fulfilled his pre-race promise and broke the world record at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon.
The 28-year-old Eritrean struck 11 seconds from Sammy Wanjiru's three-year-old previous best mark with a time of 58 minutes 22 seconds.
Tadese, a four-time world road running champion, stormed home ahead of Kenyan pair Sammy Kitwara (1:00:03) and Duncan Kibet (1:00:21) to claim a record bonus of 50,000 euros. (sportinglife)
LISBON, Portugal — Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea smashed the World record in the Half Marathon on Sunday, 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 organizers predicted.
By the 10th kilometer (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 than Haile Gebrselassie's World record of 55:48 set in 2006.
The reigning World silver medalist 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. Kilometer after kilometer 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 organization, Tadese promised to return to what he described as "a marvelous city and course!"
By the 10th kilometer it 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 kilometer 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.
Content courtesy of IAAF
I am sooooooooo proud of you Senai…….Go Go go……
im proud of u Z.S …………………………u smash them,,,,,,,,gud job
anta jigina haben eritrea kemaka neritrea zefleta yelon segum trah selamin kisanetn rahwan ymnyelka kab swiss nrkeb yehwatika
go zerisenay go….
Zersenay Tadese Ambesa Wedi Eritrea
I am so Happi
senay you just made my day, proud of you mate
Tadese won candidly and improved the world record! God bless you and your fast legs.
zersenay anbesa wedi ere ajoka ketslo
you just made my day. well done senay, all ertirean are proud of you!!!!!!!!!
I am proud of you Z.T, You smashed both record. It is amazing… I am so happy for you and congra to
all Eritreans. He dedicate it for hard worker Eritrean people. It make me feel more happier…..
ata anbesa wedi eritrea keep it up nice job
Zeresenai Jegna Wedi Eri!
wow zerisenay eritrean is pround of you .tesfa eritrea your history will bo for ever.we love you
Wow Wedi Ere! Agoka Fetaw Ado eritra kolina misaka Alena!! I am Convince you will be the next full Marathon record holder.
you so great zeriesenay i'm so glad about u keep going and continue break record hero eritrean i really appriciate from usa
hayet wedi eri tsaeda aekuriekana anta kindi 1000000000 tselaetina ere astikalina awet nhafash hizibi eritrea . lomin timali nzelialemin ms hagerna ena kurae president Isseyas .salaka u ezi kulu awet .edmen tienan niaka .ab tikedo zebele dima asalito yimineyelika
thx u so much zersenay .
zelialam kurei eritrea
AWET NHAFASH
Ajoka Tadese jigna wedi ere ketslo
we are proud of u
Bravo Bravo Bravo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wedi Ere (Zeresenai)
GO ZERESENAY GO GO GO GO GO we are so proud of you.
Conguradulation.Zersenay Im so proud of you.Imhappy for U.and Congura toall Eritreanpeople.and ur family.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz u r the best zeruuuuuuuuuuuuuu we love u my bro great job congraaaa 2 all eritreans vivaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Simply fantastic……….Jigna wedi Ere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tseba astikana Tseba site ambesa wedi ere , ymelialka ketsilo
well done!! i am proud of u z/senay.
tadese mekrie hagerun hizbun ,yehebinkana jigna wedi erey .I am extream happy ,i wish u a better one for the future
Zersenay you are our Pride, we are very proud of you … God Bless you Bravo !!
Zerisenay baka korie ajoka ketslo ab gonka aleku
Zerisenai Tadesse – je suis très fier de toi. J' espère te voir gagner leur de ta prochaine compétititon. Bravo!
Zerisenai Tadesse – Je suis très fier de toi. J'espère te voir gagner leur de ta prochaine compétition. Bravo!
entay ele mo kegeltseka ata mekri zegatatu b zekone amlak tenan selamn hebu n eritrea endegena kem teseyema geber good bless you with your famili
nice .. zersenay … good job
well done ZS, keep it up and God bless you now and forever more
senay wedy gomda betatika benskiom ka arekiom sireka.ketsilo ketsilo….mekrey hizbun hagrun
i am so happey for you go go wedi Er anbesa tehabinka Ahibkan
ZERISENAY TADESE haben ERITRANA kesab mewedaeta ab metkelka teray ambesaye nehna HEZBEKA HEZI ERITRIYA dema ab gonka alena ajoka moraln degefn aykefleyekan eyo ambesaye….haben hagernaaaaaaaaaaaa. WETRU AWET NEHAFASH . wedket nezom telamat tekawemti …… .
ZERISENAY TADESE haben nay hagerna condetion kema zelekaya teray ajoka . nehna hezbeka dema ab gonka ena bemolalen faynanciawen degef . WETRU AWET NEHAFASH ….. . wedket nezom telamat tekawemti.
zeresenay ata jgna wedi ere ajoka ajoka ketslo
ata jgna yehbinkana Iam so HAPPY kulu eritrawi tehagisu
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is an incredible ……and We are so happy and proud of our beloved brother Zeresenay Tadesse. He does this again and again CONGRATULATIONS! There is no doubt that he will keep breaking world's records. Wowwwwwwww!
i am very proud of you zersenay ,and our country eritrea .you smashed the worled record but ,we need 100 zersenays to smashed the worled recod again and again. God bless you and all eritreans.
uuuuuuuu rrrrrrrrrrrr greeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaattttttttttt man keep it up
hi kemey dehan do kemey aleka btaami ahguskana
You are Always the best Zerei Senay, All Eritreans starting from me are Proud of you. keep up your Excellent hard work, and you will always be the best. God bless you
Conguratulations Zersenay !! and to all Eritrean People. I'm so proud of you Zeresenay God Bless you!! Thank you for all your dedication making Eritrea famous to the whole world.
wawwwwwwwwwww i am proud of u keep it up sweety
I am proud of you and congra
anty mabesa.jigna kereida benatisa.chakchak ablkia alem.bele ketsilo ajoka
i am so proud you now u r one of the best athletic in ther world
ata ambesa kesilo
gut gemacht du bist der best
we so proud of you Tadese, May God bless u so mcuh and keep it. Jgna eritrawi yehguskana anbesa