Tense Tergat prepares for run

Tergat is looking for victory against a strong field

Great North Run competitor Paul Tergat endured an anxious time before contacting his relatives in America.

Following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, he arrived in Britain for Sunday's race after two days of frantic phone calls to ensure the safety of his family who live in both cities.

"It was atrocious and outrageous what happened in the United States," Tergat said.

"My thoughts go out to all of the victims. It was a terrible act that was committed.

"It was a tense time for all of my family. Thankfully I was able to reassure them after numerous telephone calls everyone is OK."

Tergat has been happy with his training

Speaking in Newcastle less than an hour after his overnight flight from Nairobi, he added: "I'm feeling very tired. But now I'm here and ready."

Organisers are hoping Tergat will become the first athlete to run under 60 minutes in this country for the half-marathon - he holds the world record of 59 minutes 17 seconds.

When Benson Masya set the current UK all-comers' mark of 60 minutes and two seconds in 1994 Tergat acted as pacemaker.

But he has played down all thoughts of further record attempts.

"I don't want to say I can run under 60 minutes, although from what I can recall it is a very fast course," the former world 10,000 metres record-holder added.

"But the weather, even just to get a fast time, needs to be warm."

This is a race I have always wanted to come back and win

Paul Tergat

He will be up against Ethiopia's Olympic champion Gezahegne Abera, Europe's finest distance runner in Belgian Mohammed Mourhit and Britain's Jon Brown.

"Apart from them it is still a very strong field, and Mourhit in particular wouldn't be coming unless he is in good shape," Tergat said.

"My training at altitude back home has gone very well. I have also been doing speed work for this race. It is very important I run a fast half-marathon before Chicago.

"My preparations say that I can. This is a race I have always wanted to come back and win."

Former world marathon champions Martin Fiz (1995) and Abel Anton (1997 and 1999) will also be running.