Fagan ready for Tergat test

Martin Fagan faces a huge task in beating Paul Tergat as he bids to become the first home winner of the men’s title at the Great Ireland Run on April 5.

Fagan will go head-to-head with the Kenyan in what promises to be a lively battle at the annual 10 kilometres classic in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

Tergat may now be 39, but showed age is no barrier by defeating world class opponents to win the Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan yesterday.

Yet despite the former world marathon record holder’s impeccable reputation, Fagan will not be overawed by their clash as he is also in good form

The 25-year-old Mullingar Harrier showed his pedigree in January when winning the 3-M half marathon in Austin, Texas, in a course record time of one hour one minute five seconds.

That performance was just five seconds short of John Treacy’s Irish record, which the former world cross country champion achieved in 1988.

“Tergat’s presence I’m sure will fetch out the best in Fagan and tackling the all-time great on home soil will be an added incentive to becoming the first Irishman to win the race,” said Andy Caine, the event’s elite athletes manager.

“Tergat’s win in Lake Biwa was no fluke and he used his vast experience to pull clear of his rivals in the final mile when rapidly increasing the pace.

“That shows there is still plenty of speed in his legs and let’s remember, he is also a former world record holder over 10,000 metres on the track and a two-times Olympic silver medalist at that distance.

“Martin I know will give it his best shot and his win in Austin, plus a highly successful training period since then, suggests a very competitive duel.”

The meeting will also see Mary Cullen bidding to become the first Irishwoman to win the race since Catherina McKiernan five years ago.