 The race was created to honour Peppe Greco, an Italian doctor who died in a car accident.It became an international competition in 1994 and rose to prominence in 1995 after Haile Gebrselassie and Paul Tergat chose to use the race as their first "re-match" after the World Championship 10,000 metres final.The course record is held by Haile Gebrselassie, who ran 28 minutes and 22 seconds to win the 1997 edition of the race.