Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia sits next to Ahmed al-Kamali, marathon general coordinator, during a press conference in Dubai on January 20, 2010, ahead of the Dubai marathon on January 22. The 36-year-old Ethiopian, who won last year's race, will pick up a $1 million bonus - on top of the $250,000 winner's prize - if he improves on his record of 2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds he set in Berlin in 2008.AFP

DUBAI, Jan 22, 2010 (AFP) - Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie's attempt to break the world record and walk away with a million dollar bonus was undone by a bad back Friday, but the legendary Ethiopian still won his third successive Dubai Marthon.

The 36-year-old Gebrselassie was trying to break his own record, set in Berlin on September 28, 2008, but failed by a little over two minutes.

He finished in 2hr 6min 9sec, while the record time is 2hr 3min 59sec.

Gebrselassie won the first prize of 250,000 dollars in the richest marathon race in the world, as he finished ahead of Kenyan Chala Dechase Beyene, and compatriot Eshetu Wendimu Tisge.

Gebrselassie, who later revealed he had to undergo intensive physiotherapy on his back just to start the race, never looked like breaking the record and it was only with about 5kms to the finish line that he pulled away from the pack.

Chala Dechase came in by 24sec after Gebrselassie, while Eshetu Wendimu clocked 2hr 6min 46sec.
Gebrselassie said: "It was not a good night and when I woke up this morning my back was in a bad position."

Halfway through the race, I decided just to win the race. I knew with all the spectators at the finish line, it would be unbelievable. I could not lose in front of them."

Mamitu Daska Molisa made it an Ethiopian clean sweep when she won the women's race in 2hr 24min 18sec, eight seconds ahead of compatriot Aberu Kebede Shewaye.

Third place went to Kenya's Helena Loshanyang Kirop, who clocked 02:24:54.