Gebreselassie Captures Fukuoka Win

Posted by Gabriel Rodriguez Dec 4, 2006

Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) affirmed his "Emperor" status of the roads by once again masterfully dominating a tactical race, this time capturing the historically prestigious 60th Fukuoka Marathon in Japan on Sunday, December 3, 2006, with a negative-split, 2:06:52 performance.

Gebrselassie has now displayed the ability to race a tactical marathon to perfection, as he blistered his opponents over the final three kilometers of Fukuoka's legendary out-and-back course in cold and blustery conditions. Defending champion Dmytro Baranovsky (Ukraine) closed bravely to set a wonderful personal best and national record with his 2:07:15 finish, while two-time World Marathon Champion, Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, held on for the bronze in 2:07:19.

In a personal battle for Japanese supremacy and an automatic selection to the 2007 Osaka World Marathon Championships, Wataru Okutani held off compatriot Toshinari Suwa over the last two kilometers to place fourth in 2:08:49 to Suwa's 2:08:52.

American marathon debutante and 25 kilometer national record holder, Fernando Cabada, displayed great patience in closing strongly to run a fine time of 2:12:27 to finish ninth overall.

As for Gebrselassie, he has now run marathons of 2:05:56 (Berlin), 2:06:20 (Amsterdam), 2:06:35 (London), 2:06:52 (Fukuoka), and 2:09:05 (London). His improving consistency and ability to either run from the front at world record pace or sit and kick is positioning him well for the impending 2007 World Marathon Championships in Osaka, Japan, next summer. Until then, who know what other records "The Emperor" may assault.