Haile Gebrselassie is victorious

WORLD men's marathon record holder Haile Gebrselassie completed a fourth victory in the Great Manchester Run over 10 km yesterday while Briton Helen Clitheroe won the women's event in a personal best.

The 38-year-old Ethiopian clocked 28 minutes 10 seconds on the loop course in cool, windy conditions with light rain in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

"I like this race and its atmosphere," said Gebrselassie whose focus is on a fast marathon later in the year in order to get a qualifying time for next year's London Olympics.

"I would have liked to run faster but the wind was really uncomfortable."

He said no decision had yet been made although he has previously indicated that he would like to race in the Berlin marathon where he set his world record of 2hrs 3mins 59 secs.

Clitheroe, the 3,000 metres gold medal winner at the European indoor championships in March, clocked 31:45.

Clitheroe, who, at 37, seems to get better with age, said: "I am so pleased with my win and personal best."