Haile Gebrselassie agrees to be pacemaker in London marathon
Haile Gebrselassie will pace a world record attempt in this year's London Marathon.
Last Updated: 17/02/14 1:50pm
The 40-year-old Ethiopian has agreed to act as pacemaker and will lead an elite field, including debutant Mo Farah, to the 30 kilometres mark at world record speed on April 13.
Kenya's Wilson Kipsang, who could be Farah's biggest threat, set the current all-time mark of two hours, three minutes and 23 seconds at last September's Berlin Marathon.
London race director Hugh Brasher said: "We are delighted to announce that
Haile Gebrselassie has agreed to run as a pacemaker in this year's race.
"Haile is an icon of distance running, a man who has broken 27 world records on the track and road during his long and brilliant career, and we can't think of anyone better to set our elite men up for a crack at the world marathon record.
"Everyone knows how difficult it is to break the world record on London's course, especially with such a competitive field, but with Haile pacing and four of the fastest marathon runners in history in the race, there's a real chance we will see something special."
Reigning London champion Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia returns to the capital and will be joined by Olympic gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich, Kenyan course record holder Emmanuel Mutai, and Ethiopian Tsegaye Mekonnen, winner of the Dubai Marathon in January.
Gebrselassie, who twice broke the marathon world record, has not run as a pacemaker before in a top-class international race.
