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Tergat Runs Into Record Books

© Susan Wessling

By Susan Wessling

Paul Tergat won the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) senior men's cross country title for an unprecedented fifth consecutive time Sunday in Belfast as he led Kenya to their 14th successive team gold medal. Heavy rain, both overnight and in the morning, left a muddy and slippery course, but that didn't really slow down Tergat, who covered the 12-kilometer course in 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

Tergat finished four seconds ahead of teammate Patrick Ivuti, who led for most of the race. "It was so tough today, and I am so pleased to win because I didn't expect it this time, especially when I saw the conditions," Tergat told the IAAF press.

Kenya won the team title ahead of Ethiopia while Paulo Guerra grabbed Europe's first individual medal in a decade. Guerra took third-place in 38:46 and propelled Portugual to a bronze-medal finish.

In the women's competition, Ethiopia won the team competition with Kenya second and Portugal third. Ethiopia's Gete Wami - a winner in 1996 and bronze medalist the last two years - returned to the top of the podium Sunday after winning the women's long course race. She finished in 28:00 and overcame difficult conditions, including low temperatures in Ireland and a cold, en route to the win on the eight-kilometer course.

"I was very happy to win, especially since I have a cold and was quite worried about it," Wami told the IAAF press. "It was hot in Ethiopia and I think the cold weather here has brought on this cold. I had planned to go with the rest up to a certain point then take off on my own. I was surprised when no one came with me when I made the break as I had expected more competition. This was much easier than 1996. Back then I had less self-confidence, which made a difference. I came here to win."

Wami's teammate Merima Denboba took second while Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain was third.

Deena Drossin of the USA turned in a superb showing. She took 10th after running with the lead group of 11 runners for most of the race. Drossin went into the world competition confident after winning her second 8K U.S. title with a 28-second victory over nine-time U.S. senior women's champion Lynn Jennings who placed second in the U.S. event. "That was a boost going into the world championship, but I wasn't just on the starting line with Jennings, but I was on the starting line with a bunch of our talented athletes," Drossin said in a USA Track and Field conference call before the race. "It was a great victory for me."