Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: Ihe nrite mbụ ya bụ n'afọ 1998, mgbe o nwetara ọla nchara na ọla edo n'asọmpi ndị ntorobịa na IAAF World Cross Country Championships ma merie ọlaọcha na 5000 m na 1998 African Championships in Athletics. Site na Haile Gebrselassie dị ka onye ya na ya na-azụ ọzụzụ, ọ gara n'ihu na-emeziwanye, na-emeri n'ọsọ ndị na-eto eto ma na-ewere ọla nchara n'ọsọ dị mkpirikpi nke ndị okenye maka mmeri abụọ na
1999 World Cross Country Championships. O ritekwara ihe nrite ọla edo na mita 1500 n'egwuregwu All-Africa n'afọ ahụ.