News Archive

Haile Gebrselassie – men’s champion, real,- BERLIN-MARATHON 2006 in 2:05:56, the fastest time in the world this year

“The victory in Berlin has given me more confidence for the marathon at the Olympics, though I have to qualify for the Ethiopian team for Beijing first! I was confident before Berlin that I would run well and this performance shows that I’m one of the best in the marathon. I’m not bad at all!”

“I know the pace varied during the race but overall it was good. It often happens when a new pacemaker goes to the front, they put in an extra effort so the pace increases. But the pacemakers did a good job overall, it’s just that you can’t expect to have several runners with you towards the end of a race and on course for 2:03 or 2:04. Paul (Tergat) was lucky he had two men with him late in the race.”

“The warm weather conditions suited me, no problem at all. My strongest opponent was the wind towards the end of the race. From 37 or 38k onwards I was running into the wind and it was hard.”

“What do I think of Tergat’s world record now? I admire Paul greatly but I think I can break the marathon world record sometime in the next year.”

“My preparation was just as good for London earlier this year but I knew that I wouldn’t run as well on the wet roads.”

“People tell me that Paul Tergat was doing extra long runs before he broke the world record in Berlin three years ago. Well I’m used to running 40k as well. That’s what you have to do for the marathon.”

“The atmosphere in Berlin is so good and the spectators on the course give such good support. It’s a great feeling running here.”

“If anyone (not an elite runner – ed note) is thinking of running a marathon next April, they should be training now!”

Gete Wami, women’s champion, real,- BERLIN-MARATHON 2006 in 2:21:34, an Ethiopian record

“Now I’ve run 2:21 I think I can run under 2:20 (only 8 women have achieved this – ed note) in my next marathon. But for the moment I’m not sure when that will be. I shall take a rest before beginning training again and then decide on my next marathon.”

“I didn’t feel well after the race and went to hospital but it was only a precaution and they didn’t really have to do anything. I had a stomach problem.”