2011 BMW Berlin Marathon: the Emperor falters, photos by PhotoRun.net, note by Larry Eder

Haile falters, Marke Milde with him, 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

This photo was taken after 27k, when Patrick Makau started to charge away. Remember, Makau ran 14:19 for the 5k between 25 and 30k. Haile tried to stay. Afterwards, Jos Hermans, Haile’s manager, noted that Gebrselassie had an asthma attack.

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Haile Gebrselassie steps off, 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

Gebrselassie went off the course, and was off the course for about a minute…..

Haile trying to catch his breath, 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

Haile Gebrselassie, breathing difficulties, 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by Photorun.net

Haile Gebrselassie, 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

After a minute, Haile Gebrselassie went off in hot pursuit of Patrick Makau, but it was not to be. Makauhad 2:34 on Gebrselassie by 35k. Haile dropped out right around 37k, citing the same issue he had in London, with an asthma attack.
Right after the race, it was announced that Haile would probably run Dubai Marathon or Tokyo Marathon in January or February or 2012, running for a fast time.
The emperor did not give up easily, and Patrick Makau, an athlete who some have seen as the next coming in the marathon, has shown his grit and desire by running a brilliantly spirited race, running like a world record holder, of which, after two hours, three minutes, and 38 seconds, Patrick Makau is the new World Record holder in the marathon!
Will Gebrselassie run London? Will Makau run London? We shall have to wait and see. My guess is yes on both, and it will be fascinating to see the Emperor going out with a fight and a new emperor starting his brilliant run for marathon greatness.

and the new world record is set, Patrick Makau runs 2:03.38,
2011 BMW Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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