ATHLETICS: Ethiopian great to run in Liverpool race.Byline: DAVID MARTIN David Martin may refer to: Politicians
FORMER world and Olympic marathon champion Gezahegne Abera Gezahegne Abera (born April 23, 1978) is an Ethiopian athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Born in Etya, Arsi Province, Abera's first international competition was the 1999 Los Angeles marathon, where he finished fourth, behind of three Kenyans. will compete in the inaugural Adidas Flora Liverpool Half Marathon A half marathon is a road running event of 21,097.5 meters, or 13 7/64 miles, about 13.1 miles. It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. on March 13. The Ethiopian will be joined by Tracey Morris, the 37-year-old who caused a shock when she qualified for the Athens Olympics after improving her personal best by more than an hour when she finished 10th in the Flora London Marathon. Morris, who will represent Wales in the Commonwealth Games, has a best of one hour 13 minutes 44 seconds for the shorter distance. Race director David Bedford said: 'This is wonderful news. In our first half marathon in the city, spectators and competitors will be able to rub shoulders with two Olympians on the streets of Liverpool.' Abera, 26, is still the only athlete to hold Olympic and world titles and his winning margin of 20secs in Sydney was achieved despite falling heavily at 17km. He was involved in one of the closest London marathon finishes when he outsprinted four rivals with 300 metres to go in 2003. The Liverpool half marathon reached its limit of 5,000 with two weeks to go. The London half marathon, also on March 13, will be held at Silverstone for the third year running |
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