Tergat to make marathon
debut in London
AFP
15 November 2000 - London - Kenya's Paul Tergat will make his eagerly-awaited marathon debut in the London Marathon next April it was announced here Wednesday.
Tergat confirmed his decision on a flying visit to London to check out the course having become the first man to retain the World Half Marathon title in Mexico last Sunday.
"Paul Tergat's decision to make his marathon debut in the spring is one all big city marathons have been waiting for," said London Marathom race director David Bedford.
"He is one of the most accomplished distance runners around at the moment and his successes to date on the country, track and road point towards huge potential as a marathoner.
"We are delighted he has chosen London for his big move. I believe we will witness the fastest men's marathon debut ever in next year's Flora London Marathon, and course and world records could well happen too."
Tergat, who won five successive world cross country titles between 1995 and 1999, has decided to concentrate on the country and road racing after coming so close to the Olympic 10,000metres title in Sydney.
The 31-year-old missed out by just 0.09 seconds to Ethiopia's defending champion Haile Gebrselassie in what was one of the races of the Games in the Olympic Stadium back in September.
Tergat set a world record time for the half-marathon in Stramilano, Italy in 1998, clocking 59mins 17secs, and reduced that mark to 59:06 in Lisbon, Portugal, earlier this year.
The 2001 London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 22. It will be the race's 21st birthday.
