Double Olympic 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie claimed victory in the Amsterdam marathon but failed in his bid to set a new world record. The 32-year-old Ethiopian clocked a course record of two hours, six minutes and 20 seconds but was short of Paul Tergat's time of 2:04:55 set in 2003.
Gebrselassie was on world-record pace at 35kms but could not sustain it.
"The last five kilometres I was not pushing. I need more training," said the track legend. "I am not so happy."
It was Gebrselassie's second race over the distance. His marathon debut was in London in 2002 when he came third.
Gebrselassie retired from track competitions after last year's Athens Olympics.
MMIX
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