Eritrean long-distance athlete Zersenay Tadese has been awarded the prestigious AIMS/Citizen World's Fastest Time Award in recognition of his world-record-breaking performance during the Lisbon Half Marathon earlier this year.

Zersenay's time of 58:23 achieved on 21 March 2010 broke the previous men's half marathon world record, achieved by Olympic marathon champion Sammy Wanjiru, by a clear ten seconds.

The AIMS/Citizen World's Fastest Time Award is presented to any athlete who breaks the existing marathon or half marathon world record.

Tadese's achievement is now officially recognised as the fastest time ever recorded by a man over the half marathon distance by both the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), representing over 300 major road running events in 90 countries, and the world governing body for athletics, IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations).

AIMS Board member Dave Cundy presented Zersenay with his special award ahead of the recent IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Nanning, China.

AIMS President Hiroaki Chosa comments: "We are delighted to honour Zersenay Tadese in breaking the world half marathon record and winning the AIMS/Citizen World's Fastest Time Award. Zersenay's commitment to distance running has enabled him to set new milestones in the advancement of the sport. Our congratulations also go to the Lisbon Half Marathon, an AIMS member race, who provided the conditions for this achievement."

Zersenay Tadese comments: "It is a very special moment for me and a huge honour to receive this fantastic award. I would like to thank AIMS and Citizen for their continued support and for recognising me with this wonderful trophy. When I think about the great athletes who have broken world distance records over the years and to now find myself among them is a huge honour and I am very pleased to accept this award."

Peter McLean, Director of Public Relations Association of International Marathons & Distance Races C/o PMPR Excellence Ltd, Windsor House, 15 Kirklee Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow, Scotland, G12 0TJ Tel: 00-44-(0)-141-357-2516 Mobile:00-44-(0)-774-037-1909 Email: peter@prexcellence.com