Haile Gebrselassie Just Announced His Retirement from the Sport

Hmmmmmmmmm something I never wanted to hear !

But to those who say he dodged tough competition - wise up ! the toughest competitor you will ever face is yourself. Geb did that daily and enroute established many world records. one being the marathon so you dumb butt haters wise up!

Heile is the best runner of all time. Number 2 in my book, was Paul Tergat. People expect a world class runner to remain world class forever. Eventually the body just gets worn out. Too bad he had to leave like this.

I am very surprised.

I expected Geb to keep running for the rest of his life.

he is the GOAT. however, I dont think it was appropriate for him to duck competition. he felt pressure to win every race he entered and this caused him to duck races later in his career. i appreciate the work he has done in his community and for the sport nevertheless.

Whatever it is Geb...thanks for all those years you gave us. The world is better place cus people like you are still around. You will be missed greatly. God bless Haiglagnawn Haile. In tears..I will miss you. you gave us so much.. Enamesgnalen. Egzibeir yechmerilhh..abezoto yesteh..

Efikir

Today, let us all be Gebrelassie fans, the best distance runner of all time, and a great human being, always positive, always up beat, even here at the end.

I will miss that characteristic stride and will miss that huge smile.

Very sad. GOAT: 2nd fastest indoor 1500m and fastest marathon.

Haven't we all said enough of this shit after a meltdown following a training cycle or after a race. I've said many times I'm done with running. I'm still going. He'll race again.

what a champion. who knows if he'll be back. thanks for the memories haile!

Hey Geb I finally caught you

1 pertinent thing is that once you formally retire, you are taken off the testing program

in order to return, you have to be tested randomly for 1y before you are allowed to compete again

i always assummed he'd hang on until the olympic M

if he hasn't announced a return by august next year, he won't be eligible to compete in the olympics the following year

I hope this doesn't discourage you, and you come back, Haile. You are truly inspirational to young and old alike.

I think he should back off his very serious work schedule a bit, and try recovering from runs properly before he hangs up his shoes. This man has a very demanding schedule and could use some rest after training.

I don't post often but I wanted to offer that over the years when things may have been tough here for whatever reason I used to think about Geb smiling and running through the hills around Adis (twice per day) and suddenly things weren't so bad.

I honestly hope to be exposed to another personality like his one day. What we take for granted until it's gone right? Life is crazy...

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Right. He quit. wink, wink

He may take some time off but there is that Masters (40 plus) marathon record looming out there.

Was he planning on quitting if he had won?

I doubt it.

He'll be back.

This was a knee jerk reaction.

Brett Favre wrote:

Haven't we all said enough of this shit after a meltdown following a training cycle or after a race. I've said many times I'm done with running. I'm still going. He'll race again.

exactly. too much money and pride on the line. I'm sure he isn't thinking of it this way, but it's a great stunt. I just hope he doesn't start a favre cycle for the next few years.

wejo wrote:

This is not a joke. Everyone is shocked.

"It's better to stop here" and he definitely means his career. At first we thought he was talking about the race and not his career.

A personal perspective on Haile's career to the modern college student -

He won his first Gold Medal (WC's) in 1993 10k. I was 3. I had just learned how to use a tricycle.

He set his first Work Record (5k) in 1994. I was 4. I had just learned how to ask understandable questions.

He won his first Olympic Gold (10) in 1996. I was 6. I had just entered Kindergarten.

The movie 'Endurance' came out in 1999. I was 9. I was just trying to figure out what sport I would be good at.

Skip ahead to 2007. Haile sets the Marathon WR 2:04:26. I was 17, and had THAT DAY run a mile TT in just under 4:30. The second place guy on my team ran a 4:42; Haile's marathon pace.

Haile has always been a part of running in my memory. Rather, Haile HAS BEEN running in my memory.

You will be missed, and know you transformed our sport.

exactly. too much money and pride on the line. I'm sure he isn't thinking of it this way, but it's a great stunt. I just hope he doesn't start a favre cycle for the next few years.[/quote]

Well, if you would actually listen to what the Man has to say you would know that Haile is a man of his word and once he made a decision it's final. By the way he owns a few Company's in Ethiopia and has more than 1000 Employees so money is certainly nothing that drives this great Athlete. The concept of just loving to run and excelling to the max is maybe something that money grabbing small brains like you don't get!

Hail the Best Distance Runner of all time!!! Thanks Geb

laxmack117 wrote:

He was a legend and he will be missed.

I think you mean he IS a legend.

How can someone go from fastest marathon on the planet to retiring in 2 years?

We'll really miss Geb breaking tape.