Gebrselassie at the ready for VCM
Long distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie will compete in next years Vienna City Marathon (VCM), it has been announced.VCM organisers said today (Tues) the 37-year-old Ethiopian will be among the thousands of runners competing in the challenging 42.195 kilometre-run on 17 April 2011.Gebrselassie holds the Marathon world record at 2:03:59. The former 5,000 and 10,000 metre athlete started focusing on running Marathons five years ago. He announced his retirement from the sport after dropping out of the New York City Marathon last month before taking back the decision a few days later.A record 32,940 athletes registered to take part in either the Marathon, the Half-Marathon or relay race this year. That beat the previous record of 30,072 which was set in 2008.Henry Sugut won the mens main competition on 18 April in 2:08:40, while fellow Kenyan Hellen Kimutai came first in the womens Marathon (2:31:08).Runners can already sign up for the 28th VCM at www.vienna-marathon.com