Hailie Gebrselassie is planning to run the first half of the race at even pace as he bids to smash his world record at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday.
Gebrselassie is confident he can smash his 18-month-old mark of two hours three minutes 59 seconds if weather conditions and pacing is favourable, something he failed to achieve last year.
"The marathon starts after 30km. Up to 25km it's kind of like playing. After 30km you start to give it everything," the 36-year-old Ethiopian said. "It must be like that if I want to break the record."
Gebrselassie will receive a bonus of US dollars one million in addition to the winner's purse of $250,000 if he succeeds.
It is understood the world's greatest distance runner, who will again be paced by Fabiano Joseph of Tanzania plus the Kenyan pair of John Kales and Sammy Kosgei, is targeting a halfway time of 61mins 59secs.
Gebrselassie, although he is in "perfect" condition, will underestimate the field at his peril, particularly Sammy Korir who was beaten by a stride when fellow Kenyan Paul Tergat set his world record seven years ago.
"After my run there in Berlin I had injuries and it was difficult coming back to racing after then getting injured again. But now I have shown I can run fast, so I am looking forward to the race," Korir, 38, said.
Bezunesh Bekele defends her women's title where fellow Ethiopian Askale Magarsa the 2007 champion and Helena Kirop of Kenya are forecast to give her a run for her money.
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