Kenya's world marathon record holder Paul Tergat said it will be difficult for his Ethiopian rival Haile Gebreselassie to break his world record of 2 hours 4 minute 55 seconds that he set in Berlin in 2003.

Two-time Olympic champion Gebreselassie was earlier this week quoted as saying that he will be looking to set a new world best but Tergat said it will be a huge task.

"I think my record is about 80 percent safe but we will see what will happen on Sunday. I know Haile is capable and he is ready but it will not be easy. A lot of factors like pacemakers, physical shape, and the weather must all be spot on," he said on Thursday by telephone.

The world marathon record said Gebreselassie has all potential to break it, saying there were many things to be considered when going for a record.

"He has all the potential to do it. Amsterdam is a very fast course and really flat and the weather can favor him. But he will need good pacemakers as well as being physically fit -- this is anarea which is not questionable," Tergat said.

He said the records are set to be broken and it will be interesting to see what happens.

Tergat, who lost the world half-marathon record (59:17) three weeks ago to Eritrea's Zeresenay Taddesse (59:05), said it's healthy to see athletes setting new records.

And on his forthcoming New York marathon race on November 5th, Tergat said he is ready to go.

"I am ready, focused, in good spirits, in good health and looking forward to New York," he said.

"It is more of a classic competition with a very difficult course full of hills, corners so it is not a fast time will not bepossible," Tergat added.

Source: Xinhua