Every man for himself

By Sarah Holt

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Assembled in a London hotel on the banks of the River Thames, a stellar trio of marathon talent swaps polite compliments.

It is probably the last time Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini, world record holder Paul Tergat and London Marathon title-holder Evans Rutto will come together before the start line at the 2005 London Marathon.

Baldini, Tergat and Rutto have flown in to the capital fresh from winter training camps in Italy, Kenya and the United States respectively, with just one thing on their mind: victory.

The three are united in their aim and ambition but each is driven to tackle the 26.2-mile endurance event for their own reasons.

Unlike any other race, the marathon asks athletes to push the limits of their physical endurance and mental strength. The marathon is a race which must be won from within.

"Marathons are really a different game," Rutto explains with a steely stare.

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"If you choose the marathon, you have to concentrate on it, push everything else outside and then stick on it because it is not something that is easy.

"It really is a long way to go so you must focus and be very, very strong."

Rutto's commitment to mastering the marathon cannot be questioned. The 27-year-old Kenyan became the fastest-ever debutant over the distance when he won the Chicago Marathon in two hours five minutes and five seconds in 2003.

Rutto then went on to win the London Marathon, where he survived a nasty fall, and the Chicago race the following year to maintain his 100% record over the distance and finish the year as world number one.

I didn't have anything left to prove so the marathon was where I looked to go World record holder Paul Tergat

It is this taste for victory and unparalleled achievement that keeps the Kenyan hungry.

"I am fighting to keep my rivals out and to have the best time in the world," said Rutto.

"The London Marathon this year is very, very important to me because it is the best marathon in the world and I want to win the race and to be at the top."

Compatriot Tergat knows how it feels to enjoy sustained success at the highest level.

The 35-year-old claimed five straight world cross country titles and won two Olympic and world silver medals over 10,000m behind Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie.

But Tergat also finds it easy to empathise with Rutto's desire to push himself to the next level and has swallowed the demands of the marathon with his usual appetite.

WILLIAM HILL ODDS 5-2: Paul Tergat (Ken) 3-1: Evans Rutto (Ken) 5-1: Sammy Korir (Ken) 6-1: Daniel Njenga (Ken) 13-2: Hendrick Ramaala (SA) 11-1: Stefano Baldini (Ita)

"I decided to go to the marathon because I needed the challenge," Tergat explained.

"I didn't have anything left to prove in cross country or on the track so the marathon was where I looked to go."

Making his debut in London four years ago, when he finished second, Tergat had to wait until September 2003 to make his mark in marathon history.

In cool conditions on the streets of Berlin, Tergat stripped 43 seconds off Khalid Khannouchi's world record, setting a new standard of 2.04:55 and reigniting his desire to go on.

"I wanted to settle my mind and focus on something special - and that was the world record in the marathon.

"When I took it, it has given me motivation to go and try and win more races."

I feel good when I run long distances on the road because it's my world Olympic champion Stefano Baldini

Rutto and Tergat find themselves drawn to the unique challenge of the marathon and the rewards that can bring. But for Baldini it is a love affair that has lasted almost a decade.

The Italian has completed 17 marathons and, retirements aside, the 33-year-old has always finished inside the top six.

Baldini's victory at the Athens Olympics, which came after leader Vanderlei de Lima was pushed by a spectator, is fitting tribute to what has been a consistent, if not glittering, career.

But for the amiable Italian it is not times and titles that he is chases down over 26.2 miles - it is peace of mind.

"I feel good when I run long distances on the road because it's my world, I enjoy myself," smiles Baldini.

"Before marathons I ran middle distances on the track, but it was different, it didn't feel right.

"Now I feel confident and 17 marathons - it's not really such a big number is it?

"When I run I think about my problems, my schedule for the day and when I run with other guys we talk about everything.

"But during the race, I concentrate only on the race. There is not much time to think beyond my opponents, the refreshment, the times.

"If you look," says Baldini, pointing at a board with the bookmaker's odds on, "I'm not one of the favourites on Sunday. I am 11-1 but, you know, you should have a bit on me."