Having put his a seven-year injury nightmare behind him, Chris Thompson has started the year in even better shape as he looks towards the ultimate goal - glory in London 2012.

The 30-year-old US-based Brit pushed World marathon record-holder Haile Gebrselassie all the way to the finish-line at the Bupa Great Manchester Run, earning the Aldershot runner praise as 'the future of 10,000m running' from the Ethiopian distance-running legend.

Placing runner-up in 28:21, Thompson had earlier moved to third on the British all-time 10,000m track rankings with 27:27.36 in California so is understandably pleased with his current form.

"I'm feeling pretty happy and excited to race every time after putting in a lot of hard work over the winter," the European 10,000m silver-medallist explained.