Gebrselassie wins marathon in Dubai... but no record

African 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 yesterday, but the Ethiopian runner still won his third successive Dubai Marathon.

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 24 seconds behind 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.