Gebrselassie cruises to victory

Birmongham - Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie cruised to an easy victory in the inaugural Great Birmingham Run on Sunday, pulling clear midway through the race over half a marathon to win by 59 seconds.

The 38-year-old Gebrselassie, running competitively for the first time since his world record in the marathon was shattered by Kenya's Patrick Makau in Berlin last month, crossed in 1 hour, 1 minute and 29 seconds.

Essa Rashed of Qatar was second, with Abderrahime Bouramdane of Morocco third in 1.03:57.

Gebrselassie, a former world-record holder in the half-marathon, said: "This helps me in my preparations for next year's Olympic Games."

Gebrselassie is looking to compete in the marathon at London 2012.