Haile Gebrselassie writes his personal mission statement prior to the 30th edition of the ING Amsterdam Marathon (© ING Amsterdam Marathon)
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsHaile Gebrselassie said he is not afraid to experience the loneliness of the long distance runner as he prepares to toe the line in the 30th edition of the ING Amsterdam marathon on Sunday. In his second try over the 42.195 km distance, the ever-smiling Ethiopian is very confident.
"I know that I have trained very well and that I am in very good shape," Gebrselassie said at a pre-race press conference today.
The multiple World champion and World record holder is very confident, particularly after his World best over 10 miles on 4 September in Tilburg, where he clocked 44:24. The race in the southern Dutch city was his last preparation for Amsterdam. Officially Haile, as is bib will read, is aiming to better his personal best of 2:06:35 from the Flora London Marathon three years ago. The organizers of the second oldest marathon of The Netherlands are, of course, hoping Gebrselassie will do the same as he did in Tilburg: run a world best.
At the press conference, Gebrselassie himself did not speak about bettering Paul Tergat's World record of 2:04:55, set two years ago in Berlin. A personal best will however make the Ethiopian the fastest of the year. Last Sunday, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon winner Felix Limo of Kenya produced the year's fastest performances, a 2:07:02. The course record in the Dutch capital is 2:06:23, set last year by Kenyan Robert Cheboror.
Jos Hermens, the runner's friend and manager, said Gebrselassie wants a first half pace of 62:30, but Gebrselassie himself said he may attempt an even faster 62 minute pace. If he can maintain that pace, a 250,000 Euro bonus will await him as he crosses the finish line.
Asked why he decided to race in Amsterdam as opposed to London, Berlin or Chicago, Gebrselassie replied, "The Netherlands is my second home country, and it is flat and fast with the exception of Nijmegen."
At Nijmegen, on the demanding Seven Hills Run course, Gebrselassie lost a close race to Felix Limo.
Gebrselassie's compatriot Tesfaye Tola, and Spaniard Javier Cortes are also eagerly anticipating the race. After an extended period of injury setbacks, Tola said he is back in shape. Six years ago, he finished fourth in Amsterdam with a personal best of 2:06:57.
"Therefore Amsterdam is very special for me," Tola said, adding, "I have trained together with Haile and I know he is in a very good shape."
Cortes, the winner in Amsterdam five years ago in 2:08:57, is hoping to relive that memory. "I am happy to be back here."
The weather forecast for Sunday is cooperative: sunny, with temperatures of 14 to 15 degrees celsius expected, with a wind of about four m/s. The race begins at 11 a.m., and will be televised live. According to organizers, about 20,000 runners are expected to participate in the various races.
Wim Van Hemert for the IAAF
