New
York winner predicts sub 2:05 London for Haile
10 April – The marathon debut in London this Sunday of Ethiopia’s peerless four
time World and two time Olympic 10,000 metres champion and multi world record
breaker Haile Gebrselassie, is presently one of the great topics of conversation
in the athletics world. Adding his opinion to the debate, New York Marathon
champion Tesfaye Jifar (ETH), one of the Gebrselassie’s training partners has
given his own opinions about his compatriot's marathon pedigree.
Jifar who is also in the field for this year’s Flora London Marathon, will fly into the British capital direct from Ethiopia on Thursday with compatriot Tesfaye Tola, the Olympic bronze medalist, but by telephone from Addis Ababa was pleased to chat about Ethiopia’s chances in the race on Sunday.
“After my win in New York I have much more confidence,” confirmed Jifar, “added to that I then won the famous New Year race in Sao Paulo which increased my mental strength further…and my run in Lisbon (Half Marathon 4th 60:33) behind Haile’s national record (59:40) was also encouraging.”
Jifar who ran 2:07:43 to win in New York last autumn and has a personal best of 2:06:49 when coming second in Amsterdam in 1999, was equally ebullient about Ethiopia’s marathon running future.
“There is a great atmosphere among all Ethiopian runners. Our friendship really helps us, we are brothers, a real family. We support each other in training and racing. If we see one of us is tired, we speak some words of encouragement. It’s a matter of respect, we know each other’s abilities and that we have all worked hard and that’s why we have got to the top. Very soon you’ll see, Ethiopia will be the world’s greatest marathon running country.”
As to the race in London, Jifar confirmed that the Ethiopian runners had “no special plans…we will follow the early pace makers and see how the race develops….” Specifically speaking about Gebrselassie and himself, Jifar then continued, “we will run together for much of the race but at some stage I know I will have to make a decision which is best for me, even if my tactics are not so good for Haile.”
Was it possible for him to beat Gebrselassie? Jifar’s answer was naturally more evasive. “Please remember sport is not just about winning. I want to run well and beat my personal best but of course if I win I will be even happier!”
Pressed a little further on the subject, Jifar continued, “to be honest I think Haile will win the race but if he does I will be a good loser and I will be happy for him. Also, do not forget there are not just Ethiopians in the race, there are many other talented athletes racing to win.”
Yet was Jifar prepared to make any predictions about his or Haile’s finishing times on Sunday?
“I don’t want to speak about my own performance as everything depends upon how you feel when you wake up on race morning but yes, my aim is to break my personal best….About Haile? To be honest I think he will run a World record and if the weather conditions are perfect I believe he can run faster than 2:05! He is healthy, so am I…everything now rests in the hands of God.”
