The 38-year-old Ethiopian, who set the world record of 2 hours 3min 59sec here in 2008, will be competing over the marathon distance for the first time since dropping out of the race in New York City last November and announcing his retirement.

It did not last long before he changed his mind. 

But Gebrselassie, the 1996 and 2000 Olympic 10,000 metres champion and who has set 27 world records during his career, admitted that he faces a tough task to make his country's team for London 2012. 

"For me here, it's not just the winning, it's the time, because I want to qualify for the London Olympics," he said.

"London is everybody's dream.

"This is part of my plan for the London Olympics.

"I have to qualify for London

"Time is the priority as I want a place on the Olympic team.

"I feel pressure from some of the younger guys coming up at home and if I don't run a good time here, I might not be able to run in London.

"I have to run as fast as I can, because I don't know what can happen.

"If I run 2:05 here, maybe someone will run 2:04, I have to make sure I am at least in the top three here.

"The marathon medal is very special for people in Ethiopia, when you come back from an Olympics with a 10,000m gold medal, people aren't so impressed as a marathon medal - that's number one."

Gebrselassie's biggest threat here is Kenya's Patrick Makau, who won last year's race in cold, wet conditions in a time of 2:066:08, but the warm weather forecasted for tomorrow suits the defending champion, he claims.

"I am not under pressure, I am running with a champion, he's the one people are focusing on and this is a good chance to get some experience," said Makau.

"I am happy the weather will be warmer on Sunday than last year, I am not used to running in rain."

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