Over time things change. People come, people go. The ever-spinning vortex that is life alters the landscape in which we reside with almost depressing regularity. In such times we look for constants, points of reference, familiarity amongst a sea of change. Inevitably though, nothing is forever, age wearies us and to the annals we are confined. In sport it is no different. Even the evergreens, the stalwarts, have an expiry date. One day an aging body, a mind wearied by a lifetime of competition finally submits to the vortex of time. In the inconspicuous setting of the New York Marathon’s 16th mile 37 year old Haile Gebrsalassie’s career ran its course. The boy from Asella had ran his last.
To me, Gebrsalassie was the consummate professional in an era tainted by greed, arrogance and mediocrity. Talented, yet humble, Haile Gebrsalassie wove his indelible mark across the fabric of sport. 11 world championship medals, two Olympic gold medals, multiple World records Gebrsalassie is quite rightly lauded amongst the pantheons of the finest ever athletes. To me though he was more than this.
To class ‘Geb’ as a ‘legend of running’ or ‘one of the greatest athletes of all-time’ would be to label him, to stereotype him. Gebrsalassie was, and is, unique. Never have I seen an athlete, a man who has donated so much of his life to the tartan and road, so gracious in defeat. No my friends, it is by his smile that I will remember Haile Gebrsalassie.
Brought up as one of ten children in Asella, Ethiopia, a young Gebrsalassie ran the 10 kilometres to and from school, each and everyday. Little is known of the young ‘Geb’, until he found recognition on the world stage, winning the 5 and 1000 metre double at the 1992 World Youth Championships. It was the start of an era; the diminutive figure, left arm still crocked to hold the schoolbooks that had long since left his shoulder, would go on to become the greatest long distance runner of his, or any other generation.
Gebrsalassie became the poster boy for the Ethiopian people. A demi-god. The small boy from Asella that became the world record holder. He gave hope to a poverty stricken nation, a tangible belief that with hard work one could achieve a brighter future. The Ethiopian dream, you might say. In turn, Gebrsalassie never forgot his roots: Today ‘the Emperor’s (his name among the Ethiopian communities) ventures, including a running club and a school in Addis Ababa keep 1000 Ethiopians in work.
On the track Gebrsalassie’s emergence onto the world stage signalled the greatest period of dominance in the history of distance running. A seismic shift of power towards the Sub-Saharan continent, which, to this day, has only been exacerbated. Schooled on a diet of running, quite literally, Europe and the Americas simply could no longer compete with the African machine. It became the Kenyan and Ethiopian show.
Interestingly, and to me this is the true measure of the man, it was Gebrsalassie above all others that the world loved. His wasn’t a Usain bolt like regime of totalitarian dominance, he had rivals, he lost races, yet it was ‘Geb’ that is remembered and adored.
His arch nemisis for much of his period of dominance, (late 90’s early 00) Paul Tergat, is an enigma. A face, a name, a statistic in the record books. Tergat too though was a world marathon record holder, just 7 years ago, a 5 time World Cross country Champion between the years 1995-9. Over the cross-country Gebrsalassie never came close.
Paul Tergat retired in 2009 without a fanfare. His last race, Japan’s ‘Lake Biwa Marathon’ he won in a time of 2:10, at the age of 39. A chapter of a life barely written had been closed. Tergat can, and will be known as an exceptional runner, but he was simply thus. Gebrsalassie is so much more than tartan and spikes, trainers and road. He is a character, a little man with exceptional talent who taught the world to smile. Haile Gebrsalassie is so much more than just a runner, in a way that, sadly, Paul Tergat never was.
And so, Sunday the 7th of November 2010, the 16th mile of the 41st New York City Marathon the cruel hand of fate played the card many were praying would never come. After limping out of the race with an inflamed knee, a body weary from a lifetime of competition, a tearful Haile Gebrsalassie announced the end of an era. ‘Let me do another job’ he said, "Let me give a chance to the youngsters. I did very hard work to win this race, it didn't work." Selfless to the end, Haile Gebrsalassie called time on the greatest career distance running has ever known.
Many luminaries of the distance running fraternity have called on ‘Geb’ to reconsider his decision. British 10,00 metre record holder Brendan Foster spoke of his dream for Gebrsalassie to go out having won the London 2012 marathon, but at the moment it looks a forlorn hope. His race, it seems, has been run.
Even if we are never as privileged to witness the majesty of Haile Gebrsalassie again, however, I for one like to think it is not the end. In the months and years to come when the latest incumbent to his distance running crown crosses the line, the unbridled joy that crosses their face will remind you of another time; and a little man whose smile captured the heart of the world.
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