The Ethiopian, who was competing in only his third race in two injury-plagued years, struggled from the start of the 3km race in Holyrood Park, which was won by Kenya’s world and Olympic 1500 metres champion, Asbel Kiprop, in 9 min 20 sec.
On a day of surprises, 19-year-old Aldershot athlete Jonny Hay enjoyed a stunning breakthrough to take second place in 9-25, one second ahead of Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, the Olympic 5,000m silver medallist.
Bekele finished in 9-42, a performance that will be an encouragement to Britain’s Mo Farah, who is training at high altitude in Kenya.
“The course was OK but my shape was not good,” Bekele said. “I am 50/50 and I was not confident before the race. But it’s a long time until the Olympics and it is too early to be in better shape.”
Irishwoman Fionnuala Britton, the European cross-country champion, was a runaway winner of the women’s 6km race in 21-32, with Britons Gemma Steel and Elle Baker second and third respectively.
