'I have learned from my mistake', Gebrselassie

Dubai: Haile Gebrselassie, the legendary runner who has set 26 world records, is in the city for the Dubai Marathon. Though he narrowly missed breaking his own world record by just 27 seconds last year, he is confident of shattering the mark in the 12th edition of the Dubai Marathon that begins tomorrow.

"I have come here with a good strategy. I have learned from my mistake last year. So hopefully I will be able to break the record," Gebrselassie told Gulf News, while signing autographs for a multitude of fans.

Thousands of runners, who had come to collect their badges, mobbed Gebrselassie with requests for photographs and autographs. The ever-patient Gebrselassie obliged everyone, even putting his arms around some fans.

"One of the most important factors in a marathon is the support from the fans. It is very useful when they cheer you through the streets. One of the nicest things of being a marathon runner is the cheers you get from fans while running. Dubai has many Ethiopians and it was so nice to hear them cheering for me last year," he said.

Gebrselassie is hoping that his pacemakers will provide him with an excellent start. "Last year I ran too fast in the first half and paid heavily for the mistake. This time I am very clear about my plan and the pace at which I should run."

When asked to elaborate on his plan, Gebrselassie said: "I hope to run the first half in not more than 62 minutes so that I may be able to break the world record here."

Gebrselassie's world record timing is 2:03:59, which he set in Berlin last year.

"My preparation has been very good and I am very satisfied. I hope everything will be as perfect as Dubai tomorrow," he said.

Gebrselassie is also delighted with the weather.

"I arrived here on Tuesday night and had a feel of the weather this morning. I came out of my hotel at the exact time I should be running on Friday and I found the weather absolutely perfect for a marathon."

On whether the record is putting him under pressure, Gebrselassie said: "I have been running for the last 20 years and I don't allow pressure to affect me. This is sport and so anything can happen."

Gebrselassie urged everyone to take up running. "Running is the best medicine for stress. It is good if everyone can do it for thirty minutes a day. I run when I feel stressed."

Though Gebrselassie is 35 years old he is at his best.

He refused to talk about his retirement plans.

"No sportsman should put a deadline on retirement. The day you do it your thinking also changes. You will start feeling that you are no longer at your best. I will run till I am fit and can keep breaking records," he said.