Wanjiru switches from Berlin to Chicago

Samuel Wanjiru has been chomping at the bit for an opportunity to run on Berlin's flat, time-friendly course. But it appears the Beijing Olympic marathon champion will have to wait for another year before he can make a run at the world record.

According to a Xinhua report, the Kenyan has ruled himself out of the Berlin Marathon next month and confirmed that he will be ready to defend his title at the Chicago Marathon in October.

After a charmed start to his career, the 24-year-old Wanjiru has had a difficult 2010. He was beaten by compatriot Martin Lel at the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans in February, and injured himself in preparations for the London Marathon in April, a condition which worsened during the race and forced the heavy favorite to pull out about half-way through the race. He has spent the last three months recuperating in Italy.

"I fell while in Nyahururu during the preparation for the London Marathon and hit the tarmac hard," Wanjiru told Xinhua. "It got worse during the race in London and forced me out. After London, I went to Italy and together with my manager, I have been in and out of hospital trying to get medical assistance for my right leg knee. But it is all gone and now the race is on to get the fitness back.

"I will not be ready for Berlin. It is a disappointment that I will miss out on a race I really wanted to run. But all is not lost, Chicago has a fantastic course and I will return there to defend my title."

A second title in Chicago has not been the object of Wanjiru's desire. That has long been Haile Gebrselassie's world record of 2:03:59. Wanjiru owns a personal-best of 2:05:10 from his victory in London in 2009.

Wanjiru indicated that he will not make a run for the record in Chicago, which also features a fast course. He said that he will instead line up at the Dubai Marathon in January for his first serious run at Gebrselassie's mark.

Who could blame him? Dubai race organizers have dangled a $1 million bonus for a world record the last three years. Gebrselassie has chased a time faster than his PR there but has fallen short each time. In January, Gebrselassie won the race in 2:06:09.

"I will be ready mental and physically for the Dubai marathon and with its fast course, I am sure I will be able to attempt breaking the world record," said Wanjiru. "The world record can go down to 2:02 and if the weather is perfect and we have coordinated well. I believe Kenya has enough talented runners to bring that crown home. I will make my attempt, but is still far away to focus on it now."

While the withdrawal of Wanjiru is bad news for Berlin, which also does not have Gebrselassie for the first time in four years -- the Ethiopian great will make his U.S. marathon debut in New York on Nov. 7 -- it's great news for Chicago, particularly American Ryan Hall. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion will be in Chicago attempting to take down the American record of 2:05:38 set in London in 2002 by Khalid Khannouchi.

In Chicago last October, Wanjiru set a course record with his victory in 2:05:41on a cold, blustery day. Provided conditions are similar or even better, Hall now has a proven competitor capable of pulling him along to a fast time that would have been more difficult to achieve on a solo run.