London Marathon: Haile Gebrselassie to set the pace in Mo Farah's debut

Haile Gebrselassie will pace a world record attempt at the London Marathon, it was announced today.

The Ethiopian great has been enlisted to take a star-studded men’s elite field, including debutant Mo Farah, to the 30km mark at world‑record speed on April 13.

Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang, who will be perhaps Farah’s biggest threat, posted the best all-time mark of 2hr 3min and 23sec at last September’s Berlin Marathon.

Gebrselassie won two Olympic and four World Championship gold medals at 10,000m and twice broke the marathon world record. This will be his first time as a pacemaker in a top-class international race.

The 40-year-old has run the London Marathon three times, his best finish being third in 2002.

London race director Hugh Brasher said: “We are delighted to announce that Haile has agreed to run as a pacemaker in this year’s race.

“Haile is an icon of distance running, a man who has broken 27 world records on the track and road during his long and brilliant career, and we can’t think of anyone better to set our elite men up for a crack at the world marathon record.

“Everyone knows how difficult it is to break the world record on London’s course, especially with such a competitive field, but with Haile pacing and four of the fastest marathon runners in history in the race, there’s a real chance we will see something special.”

Also in the field are reigning London champion Tsegaye Kebede, world and Olympic gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich, and course record holder Emmanuel Mutai.