Intro:

Top runners Geoffrey Mutai, Martin Lel and Meb Keflezighi speak on Friday (1st November) ahead of Sunday's New York City Marathon.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Geoffrey Mutai: "First of all, I have to say I can't compare because last year, the other year (2011) it was different, and this time again it's different. But I'm feeling okay. The only thing I can compare with it is after the race because to compare is not easy. You cannot test shape by talking about it until after."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Geoffrey Mutai: "Pressure is always be there, but I'm looking forward to focusing on my race. I cannot change that. It's always easy to adjust all the time is to think of your race. When it comes to answer some of the questions, it's not easy. Again, it's some difficulties in the answering of questions in different language. So every place is different."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Martin Lel: "I think first for me it's great for me to be here once again, it's a pleasure for me to be here because it's been 10 years since then till now. It's great for me to be here. At the same time it's also clear for me to run here because it's been a long time, 10 years back and I'm here also running. For me it's a good (?) for me still to be here and to run again in New York."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Meb Keflezighi: "You can't just say this person. Are they on their "A" game? That's the question. We won't know until probably halfway, who's looking good, who's not looking good. We don't know how the training is going. I haven't talked to them. They're not going to reveal that either. Just this morning, when I got breakfast this morning, I was heading down to the lobby. First two people I saw was Geoffrey Mutai and Stephen (Kiprotich) who are world and Olympic champions, shake hands and say good morning and just head out. You don't say how's training or anything like that? You will know right away when you look at their faces or other mechanics. I have my way of studying my competitors. It's fun to be able to be in the starting line with those guys. You know, New York does a great job of setting the stage. Hopefully, when Sunday games we perform to the best we're capable of doing."