By Greg WilcoxHAILE GEBRSELASSIE has told organisers to have a big, fat cheque ready for when he runs in the 2008 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in January. The Ethiopian will take his place on the start line of the world’s richest ever marathon in a bid to claim the $1 million prize on offer for breaking the world record.
And he is confident he can pose a real threat to Paul Tergat’s time of two hours four minutes and 55 seconds on the fast Dubai course.
“The organisers had better be careful because if there is $1 million on offer then I am going to get it,” Gebrselassie said yesterday. “Tergat’s record will be broken, so why not here in Dubai?” he added. “The course here provides a really good opportunity for quick times. It’s very flat, it’s at sea level and the weather should be perfect so it is a good possibility. If I am in good shape then it could happen.”
The presence of Gebrselassie in the field is a stunning coup for the Dubai event. He will run only two marathons next year, the first here and the second at the Beijing Olympics. “Next year is a very important year for me as I have two priorities. First to break the world record, and second to win the Olympics. But the breaking of the world record is my top priority. So from tomorrow I will train hard for this marathon. That is one of my goals.”
In a country that has produced legendary names such as Abebe Bikila and Kenenisa Bekele and a countless number of other world-class distance runners, Gebrselassie is undoubtedly the true superstar. Arguably the greatest distance runner of all-time, he was keen to run marathons in his early twenties before breaking world records and winning Olympic gold medals at 5,000 and 10,000 metres.
To date, he has broken 24 world records – but times can only tell you so much. His true greatness is seen in his versatility. His fastest time at 1,500m (three minutes 33 seconds) suggests he could have been a world-beater at that distance had he wanted to, and since 2004 he has focused on the marathon.
Typically, the conversion has been a smooth one, with Gebrselassie winning three of his six starts over the 42 kilometre distance. “In the marathon you have to be patient and determined,” he said. “Running for over two hours is different from 10,000m around a track. In the track races you are running against people. In the marathon you run against the distance. The marathon is tougher as it taxes you hard mentally as well as physically. That’s where the extra challenge comes.”
Many critics say that at 34, Gebrselassie is getting too old to compete for much longer. But the great man, keen to keep on rewriting the record books, says he’s going to go on running at the highest level for as long as he keeps on improving. “I still feel young and all I am interested in is getting better,” he said. “I am thinking about racing at the London Olympics in 2012. I will only be 39 so won’t be that old as many Ethiopian athletes run well into their late thirties. As a runner I am never satisfied, I always want more – that’s normal.
“The most important thing is to win and to keep on achieving.”And such is his talent and determination it would be a brave person to bet against him doing that and picking up the $1 million bonus in Dubai next year.
HIT THE ROAD WITH HAILE
HE SAYS: “If you want to run the marathon it’s important that you train a lot – it’s a tough race. Your aim should be to increase your stamina and not your speed. And it’s ok to walk at times – so long as you feel comfortable and can compete the session. When it comes to competition don’t set off too fast as you should aim to run the second half quicker than the first. And remember you are racing against the distance and not other people.”
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