Gebrselassie To Chase Radcliffe In Vienna Half-Marathon

This unique Half-Marathon race is coming up in Vienna on Sunday, the 15th of April. The holder of the womens Marathon record, Paula Radcliffe, will race against the great Haile Gebrselassie, the former holder of the mens Marathon record.

In a press release, the organisers said.....
"The British world marathon record holder had been announced earlier as a competitor in the half marathon. She will now start the race with a time advantage and Haile Gebrselassie will chase her. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to present our spectators a race of which you could only dream of. Haile running against Paula – two inspiring personalities and may be the two best runners of all times up against each other – this is something unique in the world of road running."

Haile Gebrselassie won the race in 2011 with a course record of 60:18 minutes. A year ago he received a tremendous reception by the spectators, politicians from the city and even the President of Austria had invited the two time Olympic 10,000 m Champion for a reception. 

The time advantage for Paula Radcliffe will be determined nearer to the race. She will start her race on her own while Haile Gebrselassie and the whole field will be chasing her on the way to the finish.