The 34-year-old currently has the second fastest time in history, having won September’s Berlin Marathon in an time of 2 hours 3min and 3sec.

It broke the Ethiopian record, which was previously held by the country’s legendary double Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie.

Bekele was left disappointed, however, with the time being six seconds slower than the mark set by Kenya's Dennis Kimetto.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist has vowed to attempt to eclipse the mark tomorrow in Dubai.

"The marathon needs a long time to develop, you need experience," said Bekele.

"After two years, I feel that I am a marathoner now.

"This Dubai is a similar flat course to Berlin, and I think I can do better.

"I plan to run the world record."

Should Bekele achieve a new mark over the 26.2 miles distance, he would become the first man in history to hold the 5,000 metres, 10,000m and marathon records at the same time.

It would also end the run of records being set at the Berlin Marathon, where the last six world records have been achieved.

A fast course should aid Bekele’s effort in an Ethiopian heavy men’s field, which includes his compatriots Tsegaye Mekonnen, Dino Sefir and Sisay Lemma.

The women’s field is also headlined by Ethiopian athletes, with Shure Demise and Meselech Melkamu currently having the quickest personal bests.

Koren Jelela, Tadelech Bekele and Yebrgual Melese, another trio of Ethiopians, are also set to be on the start-line.