Haile returns to the UK next week to compete in the inaugural Great Birmingham Run
13 October 2011
Long distance running legend and G4S 4teen mentor Haile Gebrselassie will return to the UK one more time to compete in the first ever Great Birmingham Run on 23 October. Taking on the half marathon, a distance at which he is a former world record holder, Haile will be looking to put in a strong performance in his first race since the Berlin Marathon, where he had to drop out due to an infection in his windpipe.
Despite the setback of not finishing the race, the same one where Kenyan Patrick Makau broke Haile’s longstanding Marathon world record, Haile still has his sights set firmly on competing at next summer’s Olympic Games in London.
“One of my dreams is to run at the Olympics in London. If I don’t qualify in my next race I will run another, and if I don’t qualify in that, I will run another one. 2:04, 2:05- I can do that, easy,” he said. Who are we to doubt the double Olympic gold medalist?
Viewers in the UK can watch the race on Channel 5 at 10.00am on Sunday 23 October.
Haile travelled to London last month where he took part in an evening event with G4S, attended by special G4S guests and BBC’s Clare Balding. Whilst in the capital, Haile also spoke to the UK media about his aspirations for London 2012 and his role as mentor to the G4S 4teen. During his stay a lucky few G4S guests and employees were invited to join Haile on an early morning fun run around London’s Hyde Park. You can read more about this here .
G4S Sport are looking forward to welcoming Haile back to the UK and wish him the best of luck in next week’s race.
For more information on Haile and for the latest news and results please visit www.g4ssport.com