By John Kwoba
NAIROBI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The worldwide reaction to Haile Gebrselassie retirement after he failed to clinch New York marathon prompted a reassessment.
Only then did it sink in what it means to have punctured Gebrselassie's aura of invincibility. But batteries run out of juice.
Though Gebrselassie soon rescinded his decision, his absence this Friday at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon confirms the dearth in the great Ethiopian form.
After three consecutive victories, the old master misses the 'world's richest Marathon' to throw it wide open to a posse of young pretenders to his crown.
With first place (men and women) paying a quarter of a million dollars there is no shortage of takers to follow the Ethiopian onto the list of Dubai winners, if not the world record ranks.
Fittingly, there are six sub -2:07 men, with another ten who have broken 2:10; but the youngster who tops that list might just be the man to beat.
One such man is Eliud Kiptanui, the Prague marathon champion in 2:05.39. Kiptanui made one of the most impressive international marathon debuts in history last May at Prague.
He came into the race a virtual unknown with only a 2:12 victory at the Kisumu marathon in Kenya.
And in the later stages of the Prague race he was running so fast the others thought he must have been a pacemaker and he was going to drop out.
But he did not as he went on to post the 17th fastest time in history, 2:05:39, about a month short of his 21st birthday.
Stepping up to a big city marathon at Berlin in September, he found the rainy, wet conditions difficult but still placed fifth in 2:08:05.
Kiptanui is from Kaptagat, a town of about 3000m altitude near Eldoret, and began serious running at the age of 16.
He has five other brothers and sisters, and after winning Euro 75,000 in Prague he pledged to use the money to help educate his siblings.
Kiptanui's next assignment was a run in Fukuoka last November, which created another sensation controversy.
Engaged to run as a mid-race pacemaker, Kiptanui was told, contrary to his wishes, that he could not finish the race. But when the previous pacemaker was slower than intended, Kiptanui took off and covered the next five kilometers a minute faster than required. Cue consternation!
So much so that, even though he slowed over the next 10k, an official stood in front of him with a red flag at 30k, to ensure he didn't forget to drop out.
Kiptanui's German manager Volker Wagner explains, "He was too impatient, too strong, he put in too much effort.
He slowed down, but it was too late, only the winner (Jaouad Gharib) could follow him; the meet director was really mad.
"But he's in good shape for Dubai. There's no pressure, no appearance money, and he can do whatever he wants. He wants to go for the world record at some point, but maybe not this time; just run the course, see what it's like, and prepare for next year."
He is not the lone wolf in the pack. There is Chala Dechase and Eshetu Wendimu who have already had that induction, in finishing second and third to their illustrious Ethiopian compatriot last year.
The duo gave Gebrselassie quite a scare in the process. First Chala caught Gebrselassie at 33 kilometers, then Eshetu joined them shortly afterwards, and for eight kilometers, they traded strides with the World record holder before he eased away to victory.
But Chala's 2:06:33 and Eshetu's 2:06:46 are more than adequate preparation. And if Evans Cheruiyot has finally got over the injuries which have hampered him since his Chicago 2008 win, in a personal best 2:06:05, then he too should figure.
Throw in the mix, Deressa Chimsa (2:07:54), Sammy Mugo (2:08:20), Dejene Yordaw (2:08:30), Muguleta Wami (2:08:32), David Kemboi (2:08:34), Dereje Tesfaye (2:08:36), Laban Kipkemboi (2:08:38), and that's a recipe for a burn-up.
And while Gert Thys at 39 may not be the force he was when he ran 2:06:33, the South African showed all his tenacity in finishing second in a rain-swept Beijing Marathon last October.
Former winners, Berhane Adere and Askale Magarsa of Ethiopia lead the women's contenders for victory (and 250,000 dollars).
But Helena Kirop, third last year, and record breaking winner in Prague four months later is just as likely as Kiptanui to make it a double for the pair of young Kenyans.
But she will have to contend with a half dozen fast Ethiopians, since in addition to Berhane (2:20:42) and Askale (2:21:31), there is also Atsede Baysa (2:22:02), Aselefech Mergia (2:22:38), Koren Yelela (2:24:33), and Roba Guta, just two seconds slower.
There will be more than 14,000 competitors in the three events on Friday morning, the marathon, 10Km and 3Km family fun Run.
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