World half marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru is aiming to emulate the feat of his hero and occasional training partner Paul Tergat and win this year's BUPA Great North Run.

The 20-year-old Kenyan who is based in Japan, is adamant he can follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman the 2001 winner of the world's biggest half marathon race - and do it in memorable style.

Wanjiru making his racing debut in Great Britain, is adamant he can challenge the course record set by reigning IAAF world road running champion, Zersenay Tadesse.

The Eritrean stretching his legs on the 13.1 miles route between Newcastle and South Shields, flew to the quickest time ever seen on British soil, clocking 59minutes 05secs two years ago.

"I don't know about the course, but maybe when I come there, I intend trying to make a course record," said Wanjiru, whose world mark at 58minutes 35seconds.

"I think I can go faster than Tadesse and maybe go 58-something," said Wanjiru whose display in The Hague in March was the third occasion he had broken the global record.

His first was achieved in Rotterdam in September 2005 when running 59min 16sec, but was beaten by Haile Gebrselassie who four months later in the USA, clocked 58min 55sec.

But this year with displays of 58min 53sec in Ras Al Khaimah and then his fantastic display in The Hague, he has made the world record his property again.

Wanjiru puts down much of his success to having lived in running mad Japan. As a 15-year-old, he was given a three years scholarship from the Toyota Yusha Company to study there.

"Everyone is really supportive there and trains really hard," said Wanjiru, holder of the world junior track 10000m record, with a superb time of 26min 41.75sec

Wanjiru despite that performance in Brussels almost two years ago and despite his youth, ranking 13th on the world all-time list, insists he has no real ambitions in that direction.

He said: "I started on the road and I only use the track for speedwork. I find the track and cross country running very hard.

"Next year I plan stepping up to the marathon and would like to run in the London marathon."

Already he is receiving advice on how to make the transition from Tergat, who he trains with when back in his homeland.

Wanjiru based in Fukuoka, stressing his respect of Tergat, said: "In January when it is winter in Japan and very cold, I go home and stay there until April.

"I go to Kenya's central region which is great for high altitude training. It also gives me the opportunity to be with Tergat.

"He is just like my father because he gives me good advice. Paul is also fun to be with because of his vast experience of life travelling the world.

"I hope I can continue to break world records and if I do, they will be very much because of the assistance he has given me."