Haile Gebrselassie Runs 2010 New York City Marathon

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Haile Gebrselassie Runs 2010 New York City Marathon
By Sharon Ekstrom

Haile Gebrselassie and Paul Tergat photo: Sharon Ekstrom for MarathonGuide.com

Two days out from the 2010 New York City Marathon, the New York Road Runners hosted a special pre-race press conference with the two greatest distance runners and marathoners of all time: two who ran faster than anyone before them to set the marathon world record. Paul Tergat of Kenya was the first man to break the 2:05 barrier for the marathon at a time when a 2:06 marathon finish was a rarity. Tergat, who achieved his mark of 2:04:55 at the 2003 Berlin Marathon, was brought in to New York for a dual purpose, to receive the Abebe Bikila Award and also to introduce and welcome the reigning world record holder, Haile Gebrselassie - the first man to break 2:04 in the marathon with his 2:03:59 at the 2008 Berlin Marathon.

Tergat and Gebrsalassie were once big rivals in the 10,000m on the track, but are now good friends and clearly respect each other as athletes. Tergat, in his introduction had nothing but kind words for the legendary Ethiopian distance runner, who collected awards and set records in nearly every distance he has participated in throughout his long running career that has spanned more than two decades.

Tergat had the following to say about Gebrselassie and his running the New York City Marathon for the very first time:

"I don't know how to put it - he's a great man, a great athlete. We have come a long way together…Any statement I made in my career, Haile has been able to follow it up and follow it to the letter by making every record that I made…he's a man that has achieved everything. And I think what is missing is New York. And I believe that what we are going to see on Sunday probably will be very special."

In recent years, Gebrselassie's marathons have been setups for Geb to go after world record attempts. The races at Berlin and Dubai were well orchestrated for speed, with special pacemakers and little serious competition on a flat and fast course. The New York City Marathon will represent a great departure from this - with it's tougher course and deep field. While some consider that this might put Gebrselassie at a disadvantage away from the flat, most of the men on the elite roster look at Gebreselassie as one of the biggest threats in the field. Regardless, all are well aware of how fierce a competitor Geb is on the track and on the roads, and none can argue that the only man ever to run a marathon in under 2:04 shouldn't be considered one of the favorites.

Gebrselassie has expectations for race day as well...he came to New York City Marathon to win the esteemed race. While he is not divulging his strategy for race day, Gebrselassie told us that he will not be running a marathon for time, as he had in the past, "You know in New York, it's not the one you run for time; it's one you run to win. Of course this is a more difficult race."

On race day, Gebrselassie will be focusing on tactics and is eager to add a prestigious win to his list of accomplishments. As he looks forward to the 2012 London Olympics and the marathon gold medal which remains a prize that has so far eluded him, the New York City Marathon will represent a return of Geb to head-to-head racing a chance to run against some that he will surely run against again in London.

Video Haile Gebrselassie: New York is Not the One You Run for Time - 0:54

Coverage Homepage

Post Race: Men's Race | Women's Race | Complete Searchable Results

Race Day: As It Happens - Live Coverage

Pre-Race:
Men: Men's Preview & Starter List | Men's Athlete Bios
Women: Women's Preview & Starter List | USA Championships Preview | Women's Athlete Bios
Head-to-Heads: Elite Athlete Past Matchups
Extras: Pace Calculator/Pace Guide | Videos (Athletes/Archival/More...)
Additional Interviews: The Chilean Miner! | Haile Gebrselassie & Paul Tergat
More News: Press Releases | News
Featured Book/Movie: Run For Your Life | A Race Like No Other