Marathon showdown in Berlin
Patrick Makau will run the Berlin marathon, setting up a mouth-watering clash against Haile Gebrselassie.
By Emma Bird
Last Updated: 14/09/11 12:14pm
Patrick Makau will defend his Berlin marathon title, setting up a mouth-watering clash against world record holder, Haile Gebrselassie.
Makau, having ran the quickest marathon in 2010, expects the Ethiopian to be extremely fast in the race on September 25.
Both Gebrselassie, who has twice broken the world record in Berlin, and Makau will be seeking to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics in Germany.
"I trust he will again be very quick here but I will try to focus on my own race," said Makau, 26.
The Kenyan, who last year clocked a time of two hours, five minutes and eight seconds to win in the German capital, continued: "If towards the end we are still together then the strongest one will win."
Qualifying
The two athletes have chosen Berlin, considered the fastest marathon course in the world, to improve their chance of qualifying for the London Games.
Gebrselassie, 38, is a four-time winner of the Berlin race, claiming the title in consecutive years from 2006 to 2009. He set two world records on the flat inner-city course, in 2007 and again in 2008, with a time of two hours, three minutes and 59 seconds.
The women's race looks set to be equally competitive, with world record holder Paula Radcliffe due to compete against local favourite and winner of the 2008 race in Berlin, Irina Mikitenko.