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Press Release - Vienna City Half Marathon - 4/16/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                       Austria's President Heinz Fischer 
                 Met Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie

                 Running Legends Looking Ahead After Vienna

The President of Austria, Mr Heinz Fischer, has met athletics legends Paula 
Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie for a reception in the Vienna Hofburg 
during the marathon weekend in Vienna. On the day after this honour the two 
runners were involved in the OMV Champions Race, where the Ethiopian chased 
the British world marathon record holder (2:15:25) over the half marathon 
distance. Having had to close a gap of 7:52 minutes Haile Gebrselassie 
still won comfortably with a time of 60:52 minutes compared to Paula 
Radcliffe's 72:03 (11:11 time difference).

Having suffered of a bronchitis in the past two weeks Paula Radcliffe was 
struggling and very disappointed with her performance afterwards. But she 
has not given up hope regarding the Olympic marathon in London on 5th 
August. "I will have a short break now and then start my preparations for 
London," said Paula Radcliffe, who will watch the London Marathon next 
Sunday on TV. "I did not feel well during my race in Vienna, which is a bit 
worrying for my confidence, because I will only run a few races before the 
Olympics. So I hope I will be able to run well in my next race," said the 
38 year-old, who has not announced where she will compete next. There could 
be only one or two more races for her before London.

Asked about the opposition that looks much stronger than in recent years 
with a number of runners producing sub 2:20 times now Paula Radcliffe 
answered: "This is something beyond my control. I simply have to focus on 
myself and get ready. I believe it is possible for me to reach a sub 2:20 
shape once more. If I can get there then I will have a chance. It will 
depend on the day. I have to get to that starting line as well prepared as 
possible and then give everything."

When asked about the pressure in the build up to the Olympics Paula 
Radcliffe said: "Yes, of course there is pressure. But most of the pressure 
comes from myself. I really want to do well in what is probably my last 
Olympics. I have not done well in the past two. But to run in London, where 
I have friends, I know the streets, the food and so on, that is an 
advantage."

Meanwhile Haile Gebrselassie was able to announce where he will run next. 
As last year the Great Manchester Run on 20th May will be his next 
competition. After this 10 k race he will run the 10,000 metres in Hengelo. 
"This will be my last 10,000 metre race," said Haile Gebrselassie, who does 
not care anymore about Olympic qualification. "But I still feel good. There 
is only a small difference compared to 2011. I am just a bit slower now." 

"I really enjoyed running in Vienna a second time. And I hope to be back in 
the future. May be I will then run the marathon as a tourist," said Haile 
Gebrselassie, who then might meet Paula Radcliffe again. "I hope to come 
back to Vienna one day and run better," she said after her 72:03 
performance, which however was still good enough to break the course 
record. So Vienna's half marathon is one of very few races in the world 
that has both Haile Gebrselassie and Paula Radcliffe as course record 
holders.

                                    ###

 

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