Haile Gebrselassie is confident for Vienna

The marathon world record holder has recently started running again after a knee injury forced him to cancel Tokyo Marathon.

After a knee injury Haile Gebrselassie is confident to run a half marathon on 17th April in Vienna. This was confirmed by the management of the Ethiopian superstar. The event in Austria will be staged parallel to the Vienna City Marathon. Organisers expect a total of more than 30,000 runners to take part in the various events on 17th April. Online entry is still available at: www.vienna-marathon.com

Alternative training helped to stay in good shape
After a fall in training during which he injured his knee Haile Gebrselassie had to cancel his start at the Tokyo Marathon in February. Originally it was feared that he would not be able to run for six weeks, which might have led to him being unable to participate in Vienna as well. But as his Dutch manager Jos Hermens now confirmed the 37 year-old marathon world record holder (2:03:59) has started running again. “Recently Haile was able to start running again and he is confident that he can participate in the Vienna Half Marathon as planned,” said Jos Hermens and explained that Haile had done some alternative training after the fall and thus was able to conserve his good shape from the beginning of the year.

’Catch me if you can’ race for Haile in Vienna
To mark the occasion of having signed one of the best athletes of all times organisers of the Vienna City Marathon have created a special race for Haile Gebrselassie. It will have the motto: ,Catch me, if you can’. The multiple world record holder and two-time Olympic Champion (10,000 m) will not only run the half marathon but he will also chase the elite marathon runners. They will run on the same course and will get a head start. The time difference between the two starts will be determined nearer to the event.