Double world half-marathon champion Paul Tergat claimed a runaway victory in this morning's BUPA Great North Run after pulling away from a world-class field just before the halfway point. However, the brilliant Kenyan failed in his bid to become the first man to run the distance in under an hour, finishing 31 seconds outside his target, while he also missed the UK all-comers' and course record of 60 minutes 2 seconds.
Tergat disposed of the threat posed by Julius Kimtai who, on his debut over the distance, finished second in 61:36 with 1999 champion John Mutai making it a clean sweep of the medals for Kenya.
Meanwhile, the women's race went to the wire before world record holder Susan Chepkemei edged ahead of Joyce Chepchumba, the 1999 winner, with less than 500 metres to go, to record the second-fastest time ever of 68:40. Pre-race favourite Derartu Tulu finished third.
Filed by Shane Murray
