Haile Gebrselassie has confirmed he will attempt to win a second Bupa Great Manchester Run title in May. The veteran Ethiopian made his debut at the 10-kilometre road race event in 2005 and set a UK all-comers' record of 27 minutes and 25 seconds, which has since been improved by four seconds by the Kenyan Micah Kogo. Gebrselassie will be looking to improve on Kogo's time, which was set in 2007, and organisers believe the world record of 27 mins 02 secs could also be under threat if the conditions are right. "I like Manchester, it is a good fast course and I'm looking forward to returning. It fits perfectly into my programme," said Gebrselassie. The marathon world-record holder, 35, may become the first man to run under 27 minutes for the distance.
And the event's elite athletes manager Andy Caine said: "I don't think it is a pipe dream ? when Haile competes anything is possible and we're doing everything we can to help him to do so. "Course changes have removed six testing turns which in the past have slowed the runners and this will definitely make it a much faster terrain. "Also, if he wants pacemakers I'm sure we can provide good ones. We're eager to see at least the UK all-comers' record broken in Manchester for the second time in three years." *PA Sport
