(Wikimedia Commons/George Roberts)
The IAAF announced today that it has officially ratified Deriba Merga's 15K world record that he set in February. Merga of Ethiopia tied the 15K world record of 41:29, which he now shares with Felix Limo of Kenya, at the RAK Half Marathon. Limo set the original record in 2001.
This latest announcement is just more good news for Merga, who has had a good year in 2009. In addition to his 15K joint world record, Merga set a new course record at the Chevron Houston Marathon in January and won the Boston Marathon in April.
These accomplishments come after Merga experienced disappointment in the 2008 Olympic marathon in Beijing. Merga was leading for the majority of the race, but he slowed in the final stretch. He was in third position when he entered Olympic stadium, but he was passed by Tsegaye Kebede just moments from the finish line to lose out on the bronze medal in a heartbreaking fashion.
Today, Deriba Merga of Ethiopia becomes an official world record holder, which is a positive way to start the fall racing season.
For more info: IAAF News Release
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