Abebe Bikila 1960, 64& Feyisa Lilesa 2016

,

Monday, October 7, 2013

Haile Gebrselassie smashes course record of Great Scottish Run as thousands race through Glasgow - Daily Record



THE 40-year-old double Olympic gold medal winner showed his class as he stormed home in a stunning 61 minutes and nine seconds.



Haile Gebrselassie
Haile Gebrselassie

Jeff Holmes
OLYMPIC great Haile Gebrselassie stayed true to his word as he stormed home first in the Great Scottish Run half marathon today - and in doing so smashed the course record.
The 40-year-old Ethiopian crossed the line in Glasgow Green in an incredible 61 minutes and nine seconds to take first place and set a best-ever time for a half marathon on Scottish soil.
Scotland's Susan Partridge, from Oban, won the women's race with a time of 70 minutes and 36 seconds, one place ahead of compatriot Freya Ross and with fellow Scot Steph Twell coming home in fourth.

But it was the performance of Gebrselassie which stunned the crowds who lined the streets of Glasgow city centre.
Ethiopia's king of the track told yesterday how he wasn't ready to give his feet a restdespite an incredible career.
And after today's feat, the double Olympic gold winner told the BBC: "Today was really wonderful. I am so happy. It was a perfect set-up. I didn't expect this kind of weather."
Earlier in the day the 10K wound its way round the city centre with Callum Hawkins, from Elderslie, taking first place and Beth Potter winning the women's race.
And the fun all started on Super Saturday as thousands of youngsters took part in the junior run, mini run, family mile and toddler dash races.

Great Scottish Run: Brave little Anna is fun run's big winner as weekend of action gets underway

Video: Records set and new heroes made in the Great Scottish Run