MARK CARROLL has spent most of his career chasing Africans around the tracks of Europe and this experience, although frustrating, could stand to him tomorrow when he makes his marathon debut in New York.

Haile Gebrselassie believes he can break the world marathon record on Sunday when he makes his debut over 26 miles at the Flora London Marathon.

Tesfaye Jifar won the New York City Marathon in record time Sunday, pulling away from his lone challenger with three miles left in a race dedicated to victims of Sept 11.

The opening ceremony of the World Athletics Championships was followed by the men’s marathon which was won by Gezahenge Abera of Ethiopia in a time of two hours, 12 minutes and 42 seconds.