Haile Gebrselassie remains coy over breaking his world record while defending his Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon title on Friday.

Gebrselassie set a new benchmark in last September's Berlin Marathon as he clocked a sensational two hours three minutes 59 seconds.

The 35-year-old Ethiopian will earn himself a US 1 million bonus in addition to a winner's purse of US 250,000 - the biggest offered at any marathon - if he achieves the feat.

Gebrselassie, who in 2008 clocked 2:04.53, then the second fastest on record, said: "Last year I had a little injury two weeks before Dubai, but this year everything is okay, I feel fine.

"And I won't make the mistake of going too fast, like last year."

Last time, the distance-running legend, who was aiming to run the first half in 62 minutes, went through the halfway point in 61min 27sec and the crazy pacemaking proved costly as he slowed in the second part of the race.

Organisers are nevertheless heartened that Gebrselassie claimed he felt he could make a further improvement in Dubai after his last world record in Berlin.

"But everything has to be perfect for another record - weather, pacemakers," he said.

"If I don't get injured, then maybe 2:02.59 is possible, but considering my shape and my age, 2:03.30, or 2:03.20."

Gebrselassie, who arrived in Dubai last night after preparing in the hills near his Addis Ababa home, insists he is still fully committed to running despite forging a career as a highly successful businessman.

"It's my top priority because without running I wouldn't have anything else," he said.

"I get up at 5.30am every day and go training. I go to the office at about 9.30am and work until four. Then I train again. I go to bed about 9.30pm, 10pm at the latest."