Paul Tergat intends to continue for one or two more years and targets another big marathon win

PRESS RELEASE: BIG 25 BERLIN
May 12, 2009

Paul Tergat intends to continue his career for another one or two more years and intends to win another major marathon with a very fast time. The great Kenyan said this in Berlin at the previous weekend, where he could not compete in the BIG 25 Berlin due to a back problem after a fall in training. Paul Tergat still came to Berlin to help promote the race. It was in this city, where he became the first marathoner to clock a sub 2:05 time in 2003 (2:04:55).

“This world record in Berlin in 2003 was the climax of my career,” said Paul Tergat, when revisiting the city for the first time again. “It was great to be back in Berlin. I feel a bit like coming back home, because I have a number of good friends living in the city.” When fellow Kenyan Matthew Koech took the race in 1:13:24 Paul Tergat congratulated him on his fine performance after holding the finishing tape in the Olympic Stadium. Asked what time he think would have been possible for himself in this 25 k race he said: “A sub 1:14 time would not have been a problem. My form was really very good and I was very motivated for this race since I never ran a 25 k event. So it was my aim to establish a strong personal best.” So far his PB at 25 k is his Berlin Marathon split time from 2003 (1:14:42).

Paul Tergat stressed that he does not want to give up his goal of a personal record in the 25 k: “There are not many races at this distance. But I hope to be able to come back to the BIG 25 next year.” He may however return to Germany earlier than 9^th May 2010. “German races are always very well organised,” said Paul Tergat. So the marathon events in Berlin on 20^th September or Frankfurt on 25^th October could well be suitable for him. “I want to win another major marathon with a fast time. I think about a big marathon but it is unlikely that it will be a World Marathon Majors race.” In March this year the 39 year-old had taken the Lake Biwa Marathon (Japan) with 2:10:22. Asked if the Masters World Record of Andres Espinosa (Mexico/2:08:46) would be a goal once he turns 40 this summer Paul Tergat said: „This time is not a very big challenge for me. But right now I don’t want to say what sort of time might be possible for me.”

Speaking about recent developments in the marathon Paul Tergat said he does not believe in a sub two hour marathon. “I don’t think this will be possible in future because I believe that we are already near to the limit. To run 2:02 will be very, very hard. I think a time slightly above 2:03 is possible, but this also is getting really tough. If you run the first half faster than 61:30 minutes you will kill yourself.”  

Next year’s BIG 25 Berlin will take place on 9^th May 2010.

BERLIN RUNS will stage its second edition of the ASICS Grand 10 on 11^th October this year. There runners can either compete in a 10 k race or in a 2x5 k relay.

More information is available online at: www.berlin-runs.com  

Photo credit essential: Victah Sailer / photorun.net