Bekele Feeling In Good Shape Ahead Of Manchester
Coverage of the Great Manchester Run is on BBC Two from 11am on Sunday with highlights showing from 6pm
KENENISA BEKELE will be planning to make up for the disappointment of missing out on selection for the Rio Olympics by putting in a strong performance in Manchester this weekend.
Bekele is the world's greatest endurance runner, holding the 5,000m and 10,000m world records, with three Olympic gold medals to his name, and five World Championship golds.
The Ethiopian made a move into the marathon distance in 2014, winning the Paris Marathon that year, but has suffered a succession of injuries and, despite a third-place finish in the London Marathon in April, the 33-year-old has only been named as a reserve for the Ethiopian marathon team for Rio.
Bekele's achievements in the capital were all the more impressive as he had only completed six weeks of specific marathon training, after an Achilles injury that was only 90% healed.
However, the 2014 Great Manchester Run winner feels in good enough shape to challenge for honours in the North West on Sunday as he uses the event to continue his rehabilitation.
“It's a really short time after the marathon, I'm still recovering from that, but it's okay – not perfect, but okay,” said Bekele.
“I want to do the marathon in Rio, I want to fight for a medal, it's not easy but I always want to be the best.”
Bekele, who took on Mo Farah and Haile Gebrselassie in the 2013 Great North Run and won in what was billed as the greatest road race of all-time, paid tribute to the spectators in the UK ahead of Europe's biggest 10k event, with 35,000 expected to take part in the mass participation run.
“I like running here in Manchester,” he said. “People are always very supportive. There's a big crowd. In the UK I've found people are motivated for the sport and are always encouraging.
“I'm happy that I'm here. It's a great country and I want to thank everyone who is motivating athletics. It's really fantastic to run here, with such great people and a great crowd.”
Coverage of the Great Manchester Run is on BBC Two from 11am on Sunday with highlights showing from 6pm
Related Articles
1/11
Groundbreaking Joint Venture for Future of Athletics in the UK
UK Athletics (UKA), The Great Run Company (GRC) and London Marathon Events (LME) today announced the creation of a new joint venture, Athletic Ventures.
Doting Brothers Set to Race in Memory of Baby Sister
Two loving brothers from Newcastle-Under-Lyme are limbering up to take on the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run in memory of their little sister.
Great Birmingham Run scores a hat-trick!
With a month to go before the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, the three football clubs are encouraging fans to run for their community foundations.
Arup are up for the challenge on Sunday 5 May
39 runners from engineering giant Arup are taking on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge.
Taking it in Their Stride in Memory of a Friend
One team of Great Birmingham Run runners is gearing up for a challenge that goes beyond the miles they'll pound on the pavement.
10 Reasons you should run the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run
As we countdown to event day on 5 May, we spell out 10 reasons why you should get involved and (if you haven’t already!) sign up.
Emon’s expert tips for training during Ramadan
A reality TV star who ran back to back marathons while fasting during Ramadan is now aiming to inspire his fellow Muslim runners.
Power of Running: Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter, 47, has ran every Great Manchester Run 10k since it started in 2003. Read Andrew's story.
Power of Running: Halee Robinson
After falling out of love with running Halee signed up for the Great Birmingham Run and hasn't looked back. Read Halee's story.
Power of Running: Helen Ryvar
Helen Ryvar is the Guinness World Record Holder for running the most consecutive half marathons, hitting 111 back in 2021. Read Helen's story.
Power of Running: Holly Tilt
Holly Tilt is making her comeback one year after sustaining a serious head injury. Read Holly's story.
