Marathon Icon, Haile Gebrselassie, is expected in the country tomorrow for the maiden Millennium Marathon International Race scheduled for this Saturday in Accra, DAILY GUIDE SPORTS can confirm.

The long-distance athlete, together with eight other runners, will join the thousands who will hit the streets of Accra for the half marathon (21km) as well as the 5km ambassadorial and family race.

Course Manager of Great Ethiopian Run, an organization run by Gebrselassie, Zelalem Eshetu, currently in Ghana, told DAILY GUIDE SPORTS, “He is arriving on Thursday. In fact, he is looking forward to the event.

He was here about three months and he spoke well of your country; how you guys received him warmly.

“He has travelled to many countries but it appears he has a soft spot for your country. He is happy about his coming.”

The 42-year-old retired Ethiopian athlete has won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles. He also won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively, three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon, four world indoor titles and was the 2001 World Half Marathon champion.

The Millennium Marathon will start from the Independence Square through La Trade Fair road, Burma Camp, El-Wak Stadium, 37 Military Hospital, National Theatre, Liberation Road, Rawlings Park, WATO Road, High Street and end at the Independence Square.