Bayo sets sights on classic record

Zebedayo Bayo, winner of the Tokyo Marathon, has predicted he will smash the long-standing course record in Sunday’s historic Athens Classic race.

The Tanzanian, who clocked two hours nine minutes seven seconds for his surprise success in the Japanese capital in February, will be running his fourth marathon this year.

Bayo insists he is not leg weary and believes the 2:11:07 mark set in 1969 by Britain’s Bill Adcocks is well within his capabilities.

“I think I can do 2:10 here,” said Bayo 27, whose fastest-ever time of 2:08:54 was achieved when finishing eighth in April’s Paris Marathon.

The quality of the field in what is effectively the final rehearsal before next year’s Olympic Games, stands no comparison with the star-studded line-up of the clashing New York City Marathon.

But a great race is still forecast with Mark Saina confident he can retain the title he won 12 months ago, although, along with Bayo, the Kenyan can expect a strong challenge from Simeretu Alehmayehu.

The 33-year-old Ethiopian is the fastest man in the record entry of 3,500 competitors from more than 30 countries, with a time of 2:07:45 which clinched victory in Turin two years ago.

Admitting he is also on a scouting mission for his country, Alemayehu said: “My first objective is to win, of course, but I’m also here to do homework for all the Ethiopians.”

Alemayehu, a member of Ethiopia’s squad preparing for the 2004 Olympics, said: “I’ll bring intelligence back to the national coaches, on the rise and fall of the course and the flat parts.”

Last year’s European Championships bronze medallist Sonia Krolik of Germany is chasing a third successive victory in the race which will finish in the ancient Panathanaikon Stadium, which hosted the first-ever Olympic Games in 1896.