Lisbon, Portugal - Haile Gebrselassie dominated the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon from the start and made a solitary race after the 10th kilometre en route to his victory in 59:15  In the women’s field the race had a emotional finish with Kenyan Salina Kosgei achieving her third victory in Lisbon.

Near the 5 km race (in an official time of 14:00 min) Haile, with the Kenyans Charles Kamathi and Robert Cheuiyot, took the lead from a small group, but from the 10th kilometre, the Ethiopian ran alone, without “rabbits”, and so, the split times where below the requirements for an attack on the World record. With 27:59 (10 km) and 42:03 (15 km), Gebrselassie struggled for the mark, and along with it, a 50,000 euros bonus.

Haile said: "I tried to push myself for a better performance but I couldn’t do better. It’s a little bit hot, I’m feeling well, but I couldn’t achieve my goal. It’s no excuse, but I’m a litlle bit worried about my father’s health. I’m in good shape and I can’t tell why I couldn’t run faster.”

Behind him, the battle for second place was very tough, with Cheruiyot (six times on the podium in Lisbon without a victory) passing his compatriot Kamathi in the final metres.

Surprising with a fourth place showing was Samuel Karanja (1:01:52), ahead of the first Portuguese runner, Eduardo Henriques (1:02.08), who will turn 40 next week and who is preparing to compete at the upcoming IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, a few weeks after taking the Portuguese title.

Among the top ten runners, Portugal saw four runners, a strong position for them, ahead of well-known runners as Jaouad Gharib (10th), Nixon Kiprono (9th), and others.