Bekele Sets 2-Mile Indoor Record

Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia set the world record for the indoor 2 miles Saturday, breaking the mark that had been held for five years by countryman Haile Gebrselassie.

He was timed in 8 minutes, 4.35 seconds at the Norwich Union Grand Prix, reducing the record by 0.34 seconds. Gebrselassie's record of 8:04.69 was set at the same National Indoor Arena in February 2003.

''It was not easy but I knew I could do it,'' said Bekele, who was chased for most of the race by Kenya's Paul Koech but produced a fast final lap to run away from the field. ''Paul Koech was very close, but I knew I had a fast finish in me.''

Koech finished second in 8:06.48 and Kenya's Abraham Chebii was a distant third in 8:13.28.

Bekele has broken Gebrselassie's 2,000 and 5,000 indoor marks in Birmingham. He was close to breaking Gebrselassie's 2-mile mark last year.

''It is great here in Birmingham and it helped me with the fast time today,'' said Bekele, who earned $30,000 for beating the mark.

(This version CORRECTS UPDATES with quotes, details; corrects Gebrselassie's country)