LONDON, April 20: Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie and Kenya's Paul Tergat had some epic tussles on the track and that rivalry will be renewed on the streets of London when the pair line up for the marathon on Sunday.

It will be their first meeting since 2002 when world record holder Tergat ended Gebrselassie's 12-race streak over him by finishing ahead of his rival in London.

On that occasion, Tergat was runner-up to American Khalid Khannouchi and Gebrselassie, making his marathon debut, finished third.

It was a contrast to their many meetings on the track in the 1990s when Tergat often had to settle for second best.

The 37-year-old took silver behind Gebrselassie over 10,000 metres at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, when he lost by 0.09 seconds, as well as the 1997 and 1999 world championships

“We've come from the track and our rivalry started in the big championships. Our time was a good time for the sport,”

Tergat told reporters.

However, the five-times world cross-country champion was cagey as to whether he would pull off a famous victory over Gebrselassie in London.

“As usual I believe that I will give my best always and if I lose I am motivated to come back stronger,” said Tergat, who has yet to win in London in four attempts.

Away from competition, the pair are friends and, with his trademark huge grin, Gebrselassie jokingly suggested that they would do better now to join forces. “These days we are coming to help each other because others want to attack us -- two old men. Especially Paul, he can run in the masters,” the 34-year-old said.

“We're friends. When I go to Kenya people are still asking me: 'Are you serious, how come you're running together....what happened?' Nobody believes us. But one thing we understand, this is sport. Sport is just to show your ability, your effort, but outside of sport, why fight?”

Tergat missed last year's race with injury while Gebrselassie was a disappointing 15th. On Sunday they will be up against a formidable men's field which includes double world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, Italy's Olympic gold medallist Stefano Baldini and last year's winner Kenyan Felix Limo.

The women's race also boasts a top-class field with Ethiopians Berhane Adere and Gete Wami among the medal favourites. China's Asian Games champion Zhou Chunxiu will make her first appearance in London.

The 28-year-old has a personal best time of 2:19.51, almost a minute quicker than any other woman in the race. —Reuters