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News19 Feb 2000


Tergat wins IAAF Cross Challenge in Nairobi

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Tergat wins IAAF Cross Challenge in Nairobi
Reuters

19 February 2000 – Nairobi - Five-times World Cross Country Champion Paul Tergat won the Nairobi leg of the IAAF Cross Challenge series and the Kenyan cross-country title in Nairobi on Saturday.

In bright sun with a light breeze, Tergat, 30, unleashed a devastating kick on the final lap to break away from the front runners to take the men's 12 km race in 35 minutes 53 seconds.

Abraham Cherono, younger brother of steeplechase specialist Christopher Kosgei, who set the early pace, came second in 36:03 and Wilberforce Talel was third in 36:05.

Although runners from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa were present, Kenyans dominated both the men's and women's events.

Tergat said he was delighted to end Paul Koech's three-year reign as national champion. "I am now concentrating on a sixth world title. That is my top priority at the moment," he told reporters.

A crestfallen Koech, who finished sixth in 36:29, attributed his defeat to the course. "Very sharp bends introduced this year affected me and others," Koech said.

Ethiopia's world champion Gete Wami was carried off the track after a second fall in the second lap of the eight kilometre women's race.

Wami, who won the cross challenge series in Seville, Durham and Vilamoura, fell after an apparent collision at the bend but recovered to catch up with the leaders.

When she fell again in the second lap she suffered a cut on her left ankle and pulled out.

Former double world junior champion Lydia Cheromei won the race in 27:44, ahead of Susan Chepkemei who was timed at 27:45 seconds.

 

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