Haile Gebrselassie defeated the best half-marathon field ever assembled in Great Britain to win the IAAF world title in Bristol today. In only his second race over the distance the 28-year-old Ethiopian waited until the final 100m before powering away to win in the unofficial time of 60mins 3secs,ahead of team-mate Tefaye Jifar who was a second slower. Tanzanian John Yuda, who had led from the start until just over a mile was remaining, finished third in 60:00.12. With Ethiopia's third counter Tesfaye Tola finishing fifth, they won the team title for the first time ever.
Briton Paula Radcliffe clocked the second fastest time ever to retain the world women's half-marathon title today Radcliffe, the world long-distance cross country champion, took off on her own after 15 kms of the 21.1km race to clock one hour six minutes 47 minutes in cold, windy conditions in Bristol. The race eventually developed into a gripping battle between the British world long-course cross country champion and Kenya Susan Chepkemei. As the field approached the city centre for the last time, Radcliffe drove on, finishing 49 seconds clear of Chepkemei with Ethiopian Berhane Adere third in 1:08:17. Eamonn Condon www.RunnersGoal.com
