Jonathan Gault spoke to Bekele's coach Haji Adilo and his agent Jos Hermens to get the scoop on the 39-year-old's preparations ahead of Sunday's Berlin Marathon. Adilo was very bullish on Bekele saying he thought the prep work had gone a little bit better than two years ago when he ran 2:01:41.
*MB: Set your alarm clocks now. Bekele's coach: "He's in perfect shape now....I think [he can break the WR]."
*Jos Hermens: "He’s ready, he’s motivated, he’s in a good mood, good shape — and he’s a tough competitor....Kenenisa is not going to come to run 2:04 — and also not 2:03.” Hermens says the first half split hasn't been determined but he thinks it will be 61 flat.
*A look at the Kenyans who are racing Berli 2018 Abu Dhanbi and 2019 Rotterdamn champ Marius Kipserem (2:04:11) leads the way on paper.
*Berlin TV/Streaming Info (3:15 am ET, 9:15 am local)