(16/10/2005)

Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has won the 2005 ING Amsterdam marathon.

The double Olympic 10,000m champion claimed victory in a course record of two hours, six minutes and 20 seconds - the fastest performance of 2005 - but failed in his bid to set a new world record.

Gebrselassie however knocked three seconds from the course record - 2:06.23 - set last year by Kenyan Robert Cheboror.

The 32-year-old was on world-record pace at 35K but faded badly towards the end to finish short of Paul Tergat's time of 2:04.55 set in 2003.

Kenyan Daniel Yego was second in 2:08.58 while Ethiopian Tesfaye Tola claimed third in 2:09.17.

After his second race over the distance after his debut third placing at the London marathon in 2002, Gebrselassie said: " The last five kilometres I was not pushing.

"I need more training. I am not so happy."

Ethiopian Kutre Dulecha won the women's race in 2:30.06.

Full Results:

MEN -

1. Haile Gebrselassie,  ETH  2.06.20 (PB) (CR)
2. Daniel Yego, KEN          2:08.58
3. Tesfaye Tola, ETH         2.09.17
4. Bernard Barmasai, KEN     2.10.52
5. George Okworo, KEN        2.11.49
6. Andrew Limo, KEN          2.12.13
7. Jamal Baligha, MAR        2.15.22

WOMEN -

1. Kutre Dulecha, ETH       2.30.06
2. Kristijna Loonen, NED    2.34.08
3. Sue Harrison, GBR   2.38.26