German
English
Haile Gebrselassie believes after a highly successful build-up he is shape
to smash the world record when competing in Sunday's ING Amsterdam
Marathon. Gebrselassie after missing the London Marathon earlier this year when not
fully recovered from surgery on an achilles, injury, runs his first marathon
since competing there three years ago.
The Ethiopian on that occasion making his debut at international level
finished third as Khalid Khannounchi lowered his own world record to two hours
five minutes and thirty eight seconds ahead of Paul Tergat. Tergat since that defeat has brought the figure down to 2:04:55 hours and
Gebrselassie on Sunday is aiming in Amsterdam to challenge the Kenyan's
two-year-old mark.
"It would be great if I run a world record,"? said Gebrselassie the world's
greatest-ever middle distance runner who retired from track racing racing
after last year's Olympic Games. But
Gebeselassie well aware of how awesome Tergat's time set in Berlin is,
added: "But I would still be happy with a personal best in Amsterdam."
That currently stands at 2:06:35 when he lost out in the epic 2003
London race when Moroccan-born Khannouchi now a United States citizen,
powered away in the closing stages of the race.
Gebrselassie learned a lot from that experience, firstly his Ethiopian
record time emphasising his ability to become a world class marathon runner
and secondly, the necessity of remaining hydrated. "Three years ago in London, I took only water throughout the race and at
the end, I felt really cold and tired," said the two-times Olympic 10000
metres gold medallist.In Amsterdam following the example of other top marathon stars he will use
a sports drink containing glucose which is much more beneficial than plain
water. "They are vital for keeping my energy levels constant,"?
said Gebrselassie who since his comeback after missing the London Marathon has
been in brilliant form on the roads.
In June he set a UK All-Comers' 10 kilometres record in the BUPA Great Run
in Manchester and more recently lowered the world 10 miles record with a
stunning run in Tilburg. The "Emperor" who will