BERLIN, Sept 29: Haile Gebrselassie has Kenyan Paul Tergat’s world record in his sight when he prepares to tackle the 34th Berlin Marathon on Sunday.

The 34-year-old Ethiopian wants to improve on Tergat’s record of 2hr 4min and 55sec set in 2003 in the German capital.

If the London Marathon has never been kind to Gebrselassie - he was third there in 2002, ninth in 2006 and had to abandon the 2007 race - Berlin has always welcomed him with open arms.

A double Olympic 10,000metres champion, last year Gebrselassie ran his personal best of 2hours 5minutes and 56seconds, the seventh-best performance in history.

He threatened to break Tergat’s mark last year, but missed it by just 61 seconds.

At Friday’s press conference, he was asked about the mark of 2hours 3minutes which he wrote down when asked his target.

“To write is easy, to do is not so easy,” said the long-distance king who holds two Olympic gold medals, eight world titles and 23 world records.

“But it’s Berlin, it’s a fast course, I will try. I had a problem with the last five kilometres last year. I was by myself, and I was tired. So I’ve done a lot of endurance training, more long distance.

“I don’t think I’m losing any speed. But to write is easier than to run. I will show you what I am capable of. Berlin offers the best course and an incredible number of spectators.”Gebrselassie warmed up for Berlin by winning the New York half-marathon and has also targetted the Olympic title in Beijing next year.

With both Tergat and London-winner Martin Lel absent in Berlin, Gebrselassie’s main rival will be another Kenyan, Sammy Korir, who set the second-best performance of all-time in 2003.

He will be helped by Berlin 2005 winner Philip Manyim, who will also be aiming for a quick time, in the world record assault.

In the ladies competition, Ethiopian Gete Wami, who was second in this year’s London Marathon, is amongst the favourites.—AFP