Haile promises to break his world record in Dubai

Dubai: Haile Gebraselassie is keen to keep his promise of breaking the world record during the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in January.

Speaking to Gulf News during his visit to Dubai on July 3, he had said: "Dubai is close to my country and a lot of my people live here. I have a feeling I would be able to break the world record here."

Three months after making this statement, Gebraselassie shattered the world record in Berlin. Despite the record breaking performance, his determination to do well in Dubai has not lessened.

"I am totally focused on the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon," said Gebraselassie at the end of a brief trip to the Detroit for the city's marathon.

"Breaking the world record in Berlin was a dream for me but I know I can do better. I've definitely got a 2:03 within me - and with the conditions in Dubai in January, there's no reason I can't take the record even lower.

"Over the coming weeks, my focus will be on training hard and getting into the best possible shape for a record attempt in Dubai," he said.

Increasing stamina

Gebraselassie's can pocket the world's best prize money of $1,000,000 during the Dubai Marathon.

According to information, this diminutive Ethiopian running legend will be in his home town of Addis Ababa this week after personal and charity appearances in the USA.

Gebraselassie had shaved off a huge 29 seconds off Paul Tergat's previous best with a new world record of 2h:04m:06s.

"I had developed my stamina running all the way from my home to the school," he had said during his visit to Dubai.

Gebraselassie has decided to improve his stamina further getting up early and running 20 miles to keep him in shape for the Dubai marathon.

Breaking records has always been a habit for Gebraselassie, known as 'the Emperor,' but even his previous 25 world bests would pale into insignificance should he set a new world record time in Dubai .

Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council - the 2008 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will offer a total prize-fund of $1,000,000 with a further $1,000,000 - courtesy of Dubai Holding - to anyone who can break the world record for men or women.

With all eyes on Gebraselassie following that stunning run in Berlin, it's a race that is set to capture the imagination of the athletics world. During his recent brief trip to Detroit - primarily for an Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association fund-raising dinner - he was quizzed about his preparations for the big event and whether he thought consecutive world records were possible.

"I've said before I can run 2:03 but couldn't do it in Berlin. But I am convinced that I can achieve such a time," he said.