Press Release - Dubai Marathon - 10/31/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
    Gruelling Training Regime Kick Starts Dubai Marathon Preparations

Addis Ababa (ETHIOPIA): Fresh from his latest globe trotting exploits, it's 
back to business for marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie as he 
targets yet another world best and a purse of US$1,000,000 at the 2008 
Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.

The diminutive Ethiopian running legend arrives back in his home town of 
Addis Ababa this week after personal and charity appearances in the USA 
following his shattering of the marathon world record in Berlin last month. 
And with the richest race in history just over two months away, it's back 
to many grueling hours on the track for a man who continues to redefine 
long distance running.

For Gebrselassie, who shaved a huge 29 seconds off Paul Tergat's previous 
best with a new world record of 2h:04m:06s, that means daily early rises 
and 20 miles of road training to keep him in shape for an event he freely 
admits is his major focus prior to next year's Beijing Olympics.

"I am totally focused on the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon," said 
Gebrselassie 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."

Breaking records is nothing new to the man 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 thanks to the jackpot on offer in the 
world's richest race.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice 
President and Prime Minister of the UAE, 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 US$1,000,000 with a further 
US$1,000,000 - courtesy of Dubai Holding - to anyone who can break the 
world record for men or women.

And with all eyes on Gebrselassie 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 
constantly quizzed as to 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," he smiled. 
"But I am convinced that I can achieve such a time. For now I am happy that 
I finally broke the world marathon record since my name is now on this 
record list. And in a 100 years people will still see that and say, 'ah 
this was Haile Gebrselassie'."

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