Paul Tergat and Race Director Mary Wittenberg in Monaco (© Mark Shearman)
MonteCarloIAAF Ambassador Paul Tergat (KEN), the fastest ever marathon runner in history who is in Monaco today to attend the meeting of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission, of which he is a member, and which is being held to coincide with the 3rd IAAF World Athletics Final, took a moment out of his busy schedule to announce his participation in this autumn’s ING New York Marathon.
Tergat, 36, who last competed in a Marathon when finishing 8th in London in April, will contest the 36th running of the New York City race which takes place on Sunday 6 November 2005.
Here at Riviera Marriott Hotel, Port de Cap D’Ail, France, to make the announcement with Kenya’s multiple World and Olympic track medallist was Race Director Mary Wittenberg.
Paul is "a headliner among headliners," confirmed Wittenberg, “There is only one male World Marathon record-holder. And we have him…and his addition to the field gives us the best men’s race we’ve had in more than a decade.”
Tergat who set the World record of 2:04:55 at the 2003 Berlin Marathon, confirmed, "I'm delighted and excited to be invited to New York. I know the field is very strong. But I love it when the field is strong. That is always when I am at my best."
“I love the uniqueness of the event, the uniqueness of New York’s (36 year) tradition.”
“The Great North Run (Half Marathon in Newcastle, England on 18 September) will be my final preparation race before New York.”
The New York field already includes two-time World champion Jaoud Ghaarib (MAR), defending New York winner Hendrick Ramaala (RSA), and Meb Keflezighi, USA’s 2004 Olympic silver medallist and runner-up last year. So what had made his decision to run in New York? Was he waiting to see who would also line-up against him?
“I am not a fence sitter,” said Tergat. “I don’t wait to see who else is in any race. I always make my decision based purely on where I think I can run best, not on who will be my opposition, and I’ll be there in the action. New York will be at the core of my business this year.”
Chris Turner for the IAAF
