The man widely regarded as the greatest ever long distance runner will be participating in this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. Haile Gebrselassie joins 13,000 fellow runners in the 10km category. Enjoy the amazing opportunity to run in the same race as the man who once covered the distance in a stunning 26 minutes and 22 seconds!
The 41-year-old Ethiopian has also won 2 Olympic gold medals and 4 World Championship titles over the 10km distance and as recently as 2008, broke the Marathon world record with a time of 2 hours 03 minutes 59 seconds in Berlin.
Learn from the Runner Who Set An Astonishing 27 World Records!
Gebrselassie will also host a number of training clinics while he is in town, with local runners set to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the man who set an astonishing 27 world records throughout his illustrious career. The specific details of the clinics, as well as several other public appearances, will be announced by the event organisers in the coming weeks.
Mr Toh Boon Yi, Chief of Strategic Development and Marketing Group, Sport Singapore, said,
“Running alongside an Olympic Gold medallist and World Champion will certainly excite and encourage the runners to push themselves and go the extra mile, be it for their personal best, or their charitable ‘reason to run’. For competitive runners it will be a great opportunity to be able to engage and learn from a legend in the sport such as Haile.”
This year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore will mark the running legend’s first visit to the Lion City and to South East Asia. He has raced all over the world on the track and field circuit as well as various international running events, winning the Berlin Marathon over four consecutive years from 2006 – 2009. He is also a winner of the Amsterdam, Fukuoka and Dubai Marathons, winning the latter event as recently as 2010.
You Still Have a Chance to Run Alongside “The Greatest Ever”!
Gebrselassie’s remarkable form has continued well into his 40s, winning the Vienna City Half Marathon in 2013 with a time of 1 hour 01 minute 14 seconds. A little over a year ago, he finished the BUPA Great North Run half marathon in third place, only 30 seconds behind the 3-time Olympic gold medalist and fellow countryman Kenenisa Bekele (first place) and double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah (second place).
Gebrselassie was delighted to have chosen this race as his first running event in Southeast Asia. He added,
“Everyone I’ve spoken with has told me the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is one of the great events that part of the world. I’m looking forward to racing the 10km, but I am equally excited by the opportunity to help out the local running community with the various training runs and clinics I plan to host. I’ve been told there is a vibrant running scene in Singapore and I can’t wait to experience it for myself in early December!”
Limited slots remain in the Marathon, Ekiden, 10km and Kids Dash categories, so sign up now and run with Gebrselassie!
The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore takes place on 7 December 2014. Registrations are still open until midnight on Friday, 31 October.
