Paul Tergat clinches his second world half marathon title in 2000 (© Getty Images)
Paul Tergat won his fourth consecutive Corrida Internacional de San Fernando, a 10km race in Punta del Este which finishes in Maldonado on Friday night.
Tergat ran a tactical race, staying with the pack and gaining the lead in the final push for the finish line. Silvio Guerra of Ecuador made the first attack when the uphill for Maldonado began before the 5km mark, but he soon tired and the Kenyans John Gwako, William Kiplagat, James Koskei and Tergat took over. The Ethiopians Tesfaye Jifar and Tesfaye Tola held back.
As the finish line approached, the Ethiopians moved ahead of all the Kenyans except Tergat. Jifar finished second and Tola third, while Gwako held on for fourth.
"I am very contented," Tergat said in an interview with Diario El Pais. "It was a very hard race, and I felt the heat. I tried to control the leaders without making an effort at the beginning to arrive in the end with more energy, and I obtained it. This is my fourth victory in Punta del Este. I go away very glad, and I hope to return to be next year."
Lydia Cheromei won the women's race in 33:13, over compatriots Jane Ngotho and Leah Kiprono.
David Monti (Race Results Weekly) for the IAAF
