The figure of Paul Tergat (back) looms over the ambitions of the leaders (inc. Cherono and Chebon) at 2004 Kenya Armed Forces cross country championships men's long course race in Nairobi (© Peter Njenga)
World marathon record holder Paul Tergat destroyed a field boasting many of Kenya's finest in the men's long course race at the 24th Armed Forces Championships today.
A day after the United Nations' Rome-based World Food Programme appointed him as its Goodwill Ambassador (click here for yesterday's story), the five times World Cross Country Champion was urged on by awe stuck fans and officials to an amazing victory, executed with a superior game plan without equal.
On a cool fine morning, Tergat who only announced he would compete in this race late this week, moved to the front and shadowed the early pace setters, Commonwealth Games 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Abraham Cherono, Kenyan champion John Korir and former World XC short course champion Benjamin Limo, in the first two of the six laps around the racecourse near Nairobi.
Confident of his form, Tergat moved to the front in the third lap by overtaking Cherono as Limo disappeared from the leading group. Step by step, Tergat lengthened his lead to 10 metres, then 20 and finally 70, to win in 37:46.
Korir, winner of the World Military Games 10,000m last autumn finished second in 38:08 having made sure third placed David Chepterit (38:14.0) was out of his sight, while former World Half Marathon champion Paul Koech took fourth in a close battle with William Chebon.
Behind him Cherono faded badly, as did World Cross Country Championships silver medallist Patrick Ivuti who was also struggling and finally had to settle for seventh.
The 1997 World Steeplechase champion Wilson Boit just managed to squeeze into the top 10 in the final lap.
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Asked whether the gap between him and the rest showed a general decline in Kenya's cross country standards, the personable Tergat said there was certainly a weakness.
"When I moved to the lead I wanted to see whether there was anybody with endurance and when nobody challenged I knew I was going to win. At this point I don't know whether I should return to cross country or not. There is still time but my aim is to run in London Marathon. But it is high time that Kenya reclaimed the World title."
Tergat's primary goal this year is to win the Olympics title in the marathon and he was pleasantly surprised to learn that he had been appointed UN WFP Goodwill Ambassador. The 34-year-old Kenya was himself a beneficiary of WFP program that offered free school lunches in Kenya.
Second placed Korir was full of praise for Tergat. "Paul really inspires us and when I saw him in the front I tried to keep up. But I am not ready so I will re-commence my training because my ultimate goal is to win the World title," said Korir.
The next best athlete out of this classy field was little known Chepterit who said he felt like a winner after beating so many great athletes to finish third.
There was another upset in the men's short course race, won by 24-year-old Boniface Songok who has only been running since 1999. He clocked 12:30 followed by Kiplimo Muneria (12:31). The winner of the Armed Forces long course race last year Sammy Kipketer, finished third in 12:39.5.
Irene Kwambai and Lucy Kabuu were the winners respectively of the women's long and short course races.
Veteran Leah Malot was second, and former World 10,000m track champion Sally Barsosio was fifth in the women's long race.
Results:
Men's 12km: 1 Paul Tergat (Mab) 37:46.4; 2. John Korir (Gilgil) 38:08.6; 3. David Chepterit (Kahawa) 38:14.0; 4. Paul Koech (Kahawa) 38:29.0; 5. William Chebon (Mab) 38:42.0; 6. Elijah Yator (Thika) 38:56.0; 7. Patrick Ivuti (Mab) 39:09.5; 8. John Kibowen (Lab) 39:19.2; 9. Robert Kipchumba (Mab) 39:26.2; 10. Wilson Boit (Mab) 39:33.1.
Men's short course (4km): 1. Bonface Songok (Lanet) 12:30. 2. Kiplimo Muneria (Mab) 12:31.6; 3. Sammy Kipketer (Nanyuki) 12:39.5; 4. Wesley Kiprotich (Mtongwe) 12:48.4; 5. James Koskei (Lanet) 12:50.3; 6. Masai Kwemoi (Lanet) 12:51.4; 7. Stephen Koech (Mab) 12:52.6; 8. David Kiplak (Nanyuki) 12:56.8; 9. Josea Matui (Lanet) 12:58.6; 10. Richard Geemi (mtongwe) 12:59.1.
Women's long course (8km): 1. Irene Kwambai (Prisons) 29:42.5; 2. Leah Malot (Telkom) 29:58.7; 3. Susan Njeri (Individual) 30:08.0; 4. Iness Chenonge (Individual) 30:20.4; 5. Sally Barsosio (Armed Forces) 30:24.8; 6. Julia Tinega (Armed Forces) 30:56.6; 7. Peninah Wanjiru (Individual) 31:12.8; 8. Jane Omoro (Telkom) 31:34.4; 9. Joska Obare (Individual) 32:04.4.
Women's short course (4km): 1. Lucy Kabuu (Police) 14:46.3; 2. Susan Muthoni (Armed Forces A) 14:55.6; 3. Ann Wangui (Armed Forces B) 15:07.6; 4. Margaret Ngotho (Armed Forces A) 15:15.1; 5. Josphine Wanjiku (Armed Forces A) 15:20.0; 6. Rose Cheruiyot (Armed Forces A) 15:21.1; 7. Cheruto Kiptum (Armed Forces A) 15:25.4; 8. Ann Karindi (Armed Forces C) 15:36.0; 9. Anne Njeri (Armed Forces B) 15:39.3; 10. Colleta Chepchirchir (Armed Forces A) 15:45.0.
