Five-times champion Paul Tergat of Kenya is to compete in the world cross country championships in Dublin in March after all. Tergat announced his change of heart after winning the 12-km men's race at Kenya's prestigious Armed Forces cross-country championships in 36 minutes 21.1 seconds today.
He had said he would not run in cross-country again after a row with Kenyan officials about team selection at last year's world championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.
However, Tergat said he would definitely run in Dublin if he made the team.
"I was disappointed by what happened last year and I want to make up for it in Dublin," Tergat, who finished third in Vallamoura, said.
Tergat said the decision made no difference to his plans to make his marathon debut in April in London. "I will run in the London Marathon and I don't think being at the world cross country championships just weeks before will affect my debut."
In Saturday's race, Tergat stuck with the leading pack which included Tom Nyariki, John Kibowen, Patrick Ivuti and Paul Koech but took the lead soon after the bell and won by about 20 metres.
Nyariki was second in 36:29.0 and Ivuti third in 36:33.1.
John Kosgei won the four-km race in 11:54.07, outpacing Benjamin Limo, last year's world champion over the distance.
Former world junior champion Rose Cheruiyot won the women's short race in 14:03.7, ahead of 1997 world 10,000 metres champion Sally Barsosio, who timed 14:19.0.
Boston marathon champion Catherine Ndereba finished second in the senior women's race behind Winfreda Kwamboka, who clocked 28:23.9 to Ndereba's 28:35.8.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
