Bekele wins Berlin Marathon, misses WR by just 2 seconds
BERLIN (AP) — So close. Yet again. Kenenisa Bekele missed out on the world record by just two seconds as he completed a remarkable comeback to win the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
The 37-year-old led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium as he crossed the line in 2 hours, 1 minute, 41 seconds, claiming the first prize of 40,000 euros ($43,760), but missing out on an additional bonus of 50,000 euros he would have received for breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s world record, set by the Kenyan on the same course last year.
“I knew that I was in top form although my preparation was shorter than I would have hoped. I know I can run faster,” Bekele said.
Bekele missed out on the thenworld record by six seconds when he won the 2016 Berlin Marathon in 2:03:03, then a personal best.
Olympic champion Kipchoge, who ran the current record of 2:01:39 in the German capital last year, skipped Sunday’s race to focus on his attempt to become the first to break the two-hour mark at a specially organized event in Vienna, Austria in October.
Bekele had knee and hamstring injuries in recent years and hadn’t completed a marathon since April last year, leading many to believe his best days were over. His world records over 5,000 and 10,000 meters are from 2004 and 2005, respectively.
“I have shown that my career is far from over,” Bekele said.
Despite wet conditions, compatriots Birhanu Legese and Sisay Lemma coaxed Bekele to a national record in Berlin, the fastest time in the world this year, and the second-fastest ever.
Bekele looked in trouble after the 30-kilometer mark, when he dropped 13 seconds off the pace, yet managed to recover. He first overtook Lemma, then Legese around 38 kilometers.
Bekele reached the 40th kilometer two seconds faster than Kipchoge had, but ultimately the Olympic champion’s sprint for the line last year was faster.
Bekele finished 1:07 ahead of Legese, who ran 2:02:48, while Lemma came third in 2:03:36. All three were personal bests.
LEICESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Steve Bruce accused his Newcastle United flops of a “lack of effort” after a “totally unacceptable” 5-0 thrashing at Leicester City piled pressure on the Magpies boss on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side maintained their impressive start to the season as they moved up to third after romping to a fourth win in their last five Premier League games, while Newcastle sit second bottom after winning just once in their opening seven matches.
Ricardo Pereira opened the scoring in the first half before Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden was sent off for a dangerous tackle just before the break, and Leicester ran riot in the second half as Jamie Vardy struck either side of Paul Dummett’s own goal.
Wilfred Ndidi rounded off Leicester’s biggest league win since Rodgers arrived from Celtic to replace Claude Puel in February.
Bruce was furious with his players’ second half surrender and made it clear he won’t tolerate a repeat.
“It was totally unacceptable. The red card makes it difficult but you have to have more hunger. It was one of them horror shows,” Bruce said.
“It was not anywhere near good enough. We have to show more than what we did and roll our sleeves up more in difficult circumstances.
“As soon as the third went in the heads went down. The lack of effort towards the end was nowhere near good enough. That is the difficult thing to take.”
Mike Ashley’s decision to hire Bruce from Sheffield Wednesday was greeted with disdain by Newcastle fans and the under-fire 58-yearold already appears to be fighting to save his job.
With Ashley still being linked with a deal to sell Newcastle, Bruce could be gone before a regime change or very soon after unless results improve quickly.
“The one thing I pride myself on is being honest. I have only been here a few weeks but you learn on performances like today,” Bruce added.
“I always knew it was a challenge, I was delighted to take the challenge but let us hope we can turn it around. I have the appetite to do that.”
Rodgers’ appointment has proved an inspired move and Leicester look capable of challenging for a top four finish, especially given the inconsistent form of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
“We’ve got a lot to learn still and a lot of improvements to make but the boys are absolutely brilliant,” Rodgers said.
“Like I say they want to learn which, as a coach, it’s the dream ticket really.
“Fantastic goals and a clean-sheet which is important because we want to defend well. Overall it was a great day for us.”