It’s probably the toughest distance race in the world to win. World class runners from 1500m to the marathon contest it and instead of just three runners from each country, like in the Olympics or World Championships, in the senior men’s race there are nine.

Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'.

My upbringing gave me a strong will, a mental aggressiveness in what I wanted to achieve.

I thought the race could be won in the last kilometers in the park. Every hill I ran in training I ran to gain an extra step in the park.

It's probably the toughest distance race in the world to win. World class runners from 1500m to the marathon contest it and instead of just three runners from each country, like in the Olympics or World Championships, in the senior men's race there are nine.

The foundation was born out of conviction that our society is rich in the potential found in its people.

I call this the race of the century because it is not easily that you can find the quality of the athletes like in this race. I doubt that it will be possible to match it again.

Honestly, I want to say that life was very hard.

I had to give all that I had at the end. It was very hard.

I love it when the field is very strong. That is when I have always done my best.