The numbers say it all! 2:03:38 World record by Patrick Makau in Berlin (© Getty Images)
Reigning World Marathon record holder Patrick Makau to take on Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie at the Bupa Great Manchester Run on 20 May.
Makau broke Gebrselassie's World record in the Marathon by 21 seconds at last September's BMW Berlin Marathon, with a time of 2:03:38.
The African superstars will be part of a 40,000 strong field in this IAAF Gold Label 10k race, which Gebrselassie has won on four previous occasions, and for the last three years following his first success in 2005.
Makau who, despite his credentials, was left out of the Kenyan side for the London Games in August after failing to finish in last month's Virgin London Marathon with a minor injury.
"I went to London knowing I was already in the team for the Olympics. I therefore was not going to push myself to finish the marathon," said the 26-year-old, who had originally been pre-selected, stating he was not bitter towards Athletics Kenya about his exclusion.
"Olympics come only once in four years. Ethiopians have been training for it since January. That is a whole seven months. My recovery period is four months, and that is why I wasn’t going to run hard in London last month."
The Bupa Great Manchester Run will be celebrating its tenth staging this year after being first staged in 2003 as a legacy to the city's magnificent hosting of the previous year's Commonwealth Games.
Organisers for the IAAF
Makau broke Gebrselassie's World record in the Marathon by 21 seconds at last September's BMW Berlin Marathon, with a time of 2:03:38.
The African superstars will be part of a 40,000 strong field in this IAAF Gold Label 10k race, which Gebrselassie has won on four previous occasions, and for the last three years following his first success in 2005.
Makau who, despite his credentials, was left out of the Kenyan side for the London Games in August after failing to finish in last month's Virgin London Marathon with a minor injury.
"I went to London knowing I was already in the team for the Olympics. I therefore was not going to push myself to finish the marathon," said the 26-year-old, who had originally been pre-selected, stating he was not bitter towards Athletics Kenya about his exclusion.
"Olympics come only once in four years. Ethiopians have been training for it since January. That is a whole seven months. My recovery period is four months, and that is why I wasn’t going to run hard in London last month."
The Bupa Great Manchester Run will be celebrating its tenth staging this year after being first staged in 2003 as a legacy to the city's magnificent hosting of the previous year's Commonwealth Games.
Organisers for the IAAF
