Paul Koech beat defending world
cross country champion and world 10,000m world record holder Paul
Tergat in Nairobi, Saturday, in the Kenyan armed forces cross
country championships. Koech burst ahead of Tergat in the final
lap of the race and crossed the line with a 12 second advantage
(37:01 against 37:13). Tergat said afterwards that he was
concentrating on preparations for his world title defence in
Marrakech in March: "I have won many times. There is no
reason why I should be bitter about losing (here today). The
season is still young and I am focusing on the world title
defence". He may not have things so easy. The Moroccans will
be doing everything in their power to take the title on their
home ground and Paul Koech will also have his sights set on
dethroning Tergat.
Tom Nyariki, who had been leading the IAAF World Cross Challenge standings earlier in the season took fourth place behind Kiptum Muigei.
In the women's event, the defending women's world champion Sally Barsosio could do no better, she trailed in in third place ten seconds behind Jane Omoro and the current leader of the World Cross Challenge standings, Jackline Maranga. The two leaders were both timed at 29:22 in a season which has been marked by near-photo finishes in nearly all of the major women's events.