MANCHESTER, England (AP) — World record-holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia will compete in the 10-kilometer Great Manchester Run in May.
“I like Manchester, it is a good fast course and I’m looking forward to returning,” Gebrselassie said. “It fits perfectly into my program.”
The 35-year-old Ethiopian will attempt to break the course record of 27 minutes, 25 seconds set by Kenya’s Micah Kongo in 2007, which beat Gebrselassie’s old mark by four seconds.
Event manager Andy Caine expects Gebrselassie to challenge his own road race world record for the distance of 27.02 and become the first man to break the 27-minute barrier.
“When Haile competes anything is possible and we’re doing everything we can to help him to do so,” he said. “Course changes have removed six testing turns which in the past have slowed the runners and this will definitely make it a much faster terrain. Also, if he wants pacemakers I’m sure we can provide good ones.”