By Larry FineEthiopia would soon challenge Kenya for supremacy in the men's marathon, though it would take 25 years before someone broke two hours for the distance, world record holder Haile Gebrselassie said on Friday.
Gebrselassie, who has broken 26 world records in his running career and is the current marathon record holder on two hours, three minutes, 59 seconds, also smiled and replied "soon" when asked if someone would run 2:02 for the distance.
However he added it would probably take 25 years before someone breaks the two-hour barrier.
The 36-year-old, who had previously said he would like to attempt to win gold in the marathon in 2012 London Olympics, also said he was still uncertain on how long he would keep running.
"Once you state it, you've stopped," he told a small group of reporters in New York ahead of Sunday's NYC Half-Marathon. "Sport is something that doesn't know your age."
Even though he has branched out into business ventures, including building a hotel in Ethiopia, and serves on an advisory board tackling domestic issues, he remains dedicated to his sport.
"A day without training is like a day without eating," said Gebrselassie, who trains twice a day, six days a week with a single morning session on the seventh day.
Gebrselassie was not shy about predicting the rise of Ethiopians on the world marathon stage and said it would not be long before they would challenge Kenyans for supremacy.
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Gebrselassie, who has broken 26 world records in his running career and is the current marathon record holder on two hours, three minutes, 59 seconds, also smiled and replied "soon" when asked if someone would run 2:02 for the distance.
However he added it would probably take 25 years before someone breaks the two-hour barrier.
The 36-year-old, who had previously said he would like to attempt to win gold in the marathon in 2012 London Olympics, also said he was still uncertain on how long he would keep running.
"Once you state it, you've stopped," he told a small group of reporters in New York ahead of Sunday's NYC Half-Marathon. "Sport is something that doesn't know your age."
Even though he has branched out into business ventures, including building a hotel in Ethiopia, and serves on an advisory board tackling domestic issues, he remains dedicated to his sport.
"A day without training is like a day without eating," said Gebrselassie, who trains twice a day, six days a week with a single morning session on the seventh day.
Gebrselassie was not shy about predicting the rise of Ethiopians on the world marathon stage and said it would not be long before they would challenge Kenyans for supremacy.
READ ON...
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