Money-driven Almaz to debut in road running

Lured by the prospects of gaining financial rewards, reigning World and Olympic 10,000 metre champion Almaz Ayana has decided to debut on the road in Sunday's Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here.

Ethiopian runner Almaz, who broke the 10,000m world record -- set in 1993 -- by clocking 29 minutes 17.45 seconds at the Rio Games last year, is hopeful of a successful debut when she takes her mark on Sunday.

The glory of winning on the track sans too much financial rewards is clearly not enough motivation for many athletes. On the other hand, big ticket events like the ADHM, with an overall purse of $275,000 offers lucrative returns.

"Yes, this will be my first half marathon and I have been preparing really hard to be here. I hope to have a good race on Sunday as the conditions look great here," Almaz told IANS here on Thursday.

"The decision to take part in a half marathon came after considering the money involved, which can be used for better training for future track races.

Asked whether she will continue running on the road, the 25-year-old said she wasn't sure about her future in half marathon but will continue to take part in track events.

"Let me run my first half marathon on Sunday, then will decide my future on the road. Currently, I am only focussed on the ADHM and have trained hard for it," she said.

The Ethiopian long distance runner, who started her professional running career with steeplechase, said that despite being a rookie in half marathon, her training back home makes her one of the toughest competitors in the race.

"I know there are many good runners who will be aiming for a podium finish but with the kind of training, I have undergone back home, I am confident of putting up a good fight. The rest is God's wish.

On being asked how her life changed after she broke the world record, Almaz said: "I didn't realise breaking the World record in the beginning. It was after reaching home when I was welcomed by a huge crowd when the feeling sank in."

Coached by her husband, Almaz is in superb form this year having won the gold medal in the 10,000m, finishing 46 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

On Sunday, Almaz will be seen competing alongside fellow Ethiopian and ADHM defending champion Worknesh Degefa and Kenyan Helah Kiprop, among others.

(Tridib Baparnash can be contacted at tridib.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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