Haile Gebrselassie wins the 2009 Berlin Marathon (© Victah Sailer)
Haile Gebrselassie will honour a promise he made a decade ago and compete at the 30th staging of the Bupa Great North Run, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, in September.
Gebrselassie, before winning a second successive Olympic Games 10000 metres title in 2000, had already committed himself to taking part in the world's biggest Half Marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.
However, the Ethiopian ripped his Achilles tendon in a thrilling finish to the track final in Sydney where he only just retained his crown by a stride ahead of Paul Tergat, and subsequently required surgery.
It resulted in Gebrselassie being forced to withdraw from the Bupa Great North Run where it was planned for the "Emperor" to attack the the then World record belonging to Kenya's Tergat of 59:17.
Since then other commitments, notably major autumn marathons, have prevented Gebrselassie taking part in the Tyneside Classic but today he announced he will be on the start line on Sunday 19 September.
"This is a race I have always wanted to compete in and I'm really looking forward to running as it has a worldwide reputation for not only the quality but also the fantastic size of the field," Gebrselassie said.
"I've always had a very close relationship with Brendan Foster and Nova International the organisers who helped me with their expertise and assistance when we launched the Great Ethiopian Run which will be held for the 10th time this November."
The 37-year-old former World Half Marathon champion and record holder with a fastest time of 58:55 said, "Now I've finally got the chance to run the Great North Run.
"I see it as a great opportunity to say thank you for all of the help they have given to the Great Ethiopian Run also becoming a hugely successful mass participation event."
Foster, the founder of the Great North Run, is thrilled that Gebrselassie, who during an illustrious international career saw him post the first of his 27 world records on the track, indoors and on the roads in 1994, will finally race over the famous Newcastle to South Shields course.
"It's finally a dream come true to have Haile coming for the race after his injury when defending his Olympic title in Sydney saw him have to withdraw," Foster said.
"I remember the disappointment on his face when we made the announcement at a press conference there but he immediately insisted that one day he would compete in the Great North Run.
"Yes, we've had to be patient and wait because over the years other commitments particularly autumn marathons have prevented his participation. Now it's definitely going to happen and I'm personally delighted as is everyone else involved in the organisation of the race. We've enjoyed seeing many of the best long distance runners from around the world compete here and now we've got the greatest of all-time."
"It's a dream come true for the 30th staging of the Bupa Great North Run."
Organisers for the IAAF
Gebrselassie, before winning a second successive Olympic Games 10000 metres title in 2000, had already committed himself to taking part in the world's biggest Half Marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.
However, the Ethiopian ripped his Achilles tendon in a thrilling finish to the track final in Sydney where he only just retained his crown by a stride ahead of Paul Tergat, and subsequently required surgery.
It resulted in Gebrselassie being forced to withdraw from the Bupa Great North Run where it was planned for the "Emperor" to attack the the then World record belonging to Kenya's Tergat of 59:17.
Since then other commitments, notably major autumn marathons, have prevented Gebrselassie taking part in the Tyneside Classic but today he announced he will be on the start line on Sunday 19 September.
"This is a race I have always wanted to compete in and I'm really looking forward to running as it has a worldwide reputation for not only the quality but also the fantastic size of the field," Gebrselassie said.
"I've always had a very close relationship with Brendan Foster and Nova International the organisers who helped me with their expertise and assistance when we launched the Great Ethiopian Run which will be held for the 10th time this November."
The 37-year-old former World Half Marathon champion and record holder with a fastest time of 58:55 said, "Now I've finally got the chance to run the Great North Run.
"I see it as a great opportunity to say thank you for all of the help they have given to the Great Ethiopian Run also becoming a hugely successful mass participation event."
Foster, the founder of the Great North Run, is thrilled that Gebrselassie, who during an illustrious international career saw him post the first of his 27 world records on the track, indoors and on the roads in 1994, will finally race over the famous Newcastle to South Shields course.
"It's finally a dream come true to have Haile coming for the race after his injury when defending his Olympic title in Sydney saw him have to withdraw," Foster said.
"I remember the disappointment on his face when we made the announcement at a press conference there but he immediately insisted that one day he would compete in the Great North Run.
"Yes, we've had to be patient and wait because over the years other commitments particularly autumn marathons have prevented his participation. Now it's definitely going to happen and I'm personally delighted as is everyone else involved in the organisation of the race. We've enjoyed seeing many of the best long distance runners from around the world compete here and now we've got the greatest of all-time."
"It's a dream come true for the 30th staging of the Bupa Great North Run."
Organisers for the IAAF
