PT

Paul Tergat

Photo: Michael Gross—Public domain

Paul Tergat

KENMen

Birth dateJun 17, 1969

BirthplaceBaringo County, Kenya

Height1.82 m

Weight62 kg

Paul Tergat is a Kenyan former long-distance runner born on 17 June 1969 in Baringo County. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time, excelling across track, cross country, and road events throughout his career.

He lives and trains in Eldoret, Kenya. Tergat made history in 2003 by becoming the first Kenyan man to set the world record in the marathon, clocking 2:04:55.

Over the course of his career, he set several world records and won numerous titles across multiple disciplines. Towards the end of his competitive years, he focused exclusively on the marathon, building a legacy that earned him recognition as one of the most versatile distance runners the sport has ever seen.

Key facts

10 000 m

26:27.85

3000 m

7:28.70

2009 season best

28:46

Apr 5, 2009 · Dublin (IRL)

2009 season best

Medals

Olympic Games: 2 silver · World Championships: 2 silver, 1 bronze

Record

National record · 10 000 m 26:27.85

National record

Age

57 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: 10 000 m 26:27.85 (#4 all-time), 3000 m 7:28.70, 2009 season best 28:46 (Apr 5, 2009, Dublin (IRL)) · Olympic Games: 2 silver · World Championships: 2 silver, 1 bronze · National record (10 000 m) · 57 years old

PB

Personal bests

7:28.70

12:49.87

26:27.85

59:06

2:04:55

42:12

28:04

45:50

56:18

22:22

🏅

Medals

	🥇	🥈	🥉	Total
Olympic Games	-	2	-	2
World Championships	-	2	1	3
Total	-	4	1	5

Performance Charts

Season bests

Season	Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Trend	Competitions
2009	10Kilometr	28:46	-	Apr 5, 2009	↓	Dublin (IRL)
2009	Marathon	2:10:22	-	Mar 1, 2009	↓	Otsu (JPN)
2008	10Kilometr	30:43	-	Aug 31, 2008	↓	Roma (ITA)
2008	Semi	1:01:34	-	Sep 28, 2008	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2008	Marathon	2:13:10	-	Nov 2, 2008	↓	New York City Marathon
2007	Semi	1:04:58	-	Sep 23, 2007	↓	Porto (POR)
2007	Marathon	2:08:06	-	Apr 22, 2007	↓	London Marathon
2006	Semi	59:42	-	Mar 26, 2006	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2006	Marathon	2:10:10	-	Nov 5, 2006	↓	New York City Marathon
2005	15Kilometr	45:23	-	Dec 31, 2005	↓	Luanda (ANG)
2005	Semi	59:10	-	Mar 13, 2005	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2005	Marathon	2:09:30	-	Nov 6, 2005	↓	New York City Marathon
2004	10Kilometr	28:22	-	May 23, 2004	↓	Manchester (GBR)
2004	Marathon	2:14:45	-	Aug 29, 2004	↓	The XXVIII Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Athina
2003	10Kilometr	28:31	-	Feb 23, 2003	↓	San Juan (PUR)
2003	15Kilometr	43:51	-	Nov 16, 2003	↓	Nijmegen (NED)
2003	Semi	1:00:51	-	Mar 16, 2003	↓	Lisboa (POR)
2003	Marathon	2:04:55	-	Sep 28, 2003	↓	Berlin Marathon
2002	10Kilometr	28:14	-	Sep 22, 2002	↓	Praha (CZE)
2002	Semi	59:46	-	Mar 24, 2002	↓	Virginia Beach, VA (USA)
2002	Marathon	2:05:48	-	Apr 14, 2002	↓	London Marathon
2001	10Kilometr	28:25	-	Feb 26, 2001	↓	San Juan (PUR)
2001	Semi	1:00:27	-	Apr 1, 2001	↓	Sapporo (JPN)
2001	Marathon	2:08:15	-	Apr 22, 2001	↓	London Marathon
2000	5000m	12:55.18	-	Jun 30, 2000	↑	Roma Golden Gala
2000	10000m	27:03.87	-	Aug 25, 2000	↑	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
2000	10Kilometr	28:04	-	Jan 5, 2000	↓	Maldonado (URU)
2000	CrossCount	35:02	-	Mar 19, 2000	↓	28th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Vilamoura
2000	15Kilometr	43:57	-	Dec 31, 2000	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
2000	Semi	1:03:47	-	Nov 12, 2000	↓	Veracruz IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Veracruz
1999	3000m	7:36.89	-	Jul 2, 1999	↓	Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne (SUI)
1999	5000m	12:55.37	-	Jul 7, 1999	↑	Roma Golden Gala
1999	8Kilometre	22:22	-	Apr 24, 1999	-	Balmoral (GBR)
1999	10000m	27:10.08	-	Jul 30, 1999	↑	Stockholm (SWE)
1999	CrossCount	30:56	-	Jan 17, 1999	↓	-
1999	15Kilometr	44:35	-	Dec 31, 1999	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
1999	Semi	1:01:50	-	Oct 3, 1999	↓	Palermo IAAF World Half Marathon Championships
1998	3000m	7:33.20	-	Aug 8, 1998	↓	Monte Carlo Herculis-Zepter '98
1998	5000m	12:58.74	-	Aug 12, 1998	↑	Weltklasse Zürich
1998	10000m	26:46.44	-	Aug 28, 1998	↑	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
1998	CrossCount	27:57	-	Jan 18, 1998	↓	-
1998	10Kilometr	28:04	-	Jan 5, 1998	↓	Punta del Este (URU)
1998	15Kilometr	44:47	-	Dec 31, 1998	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
1998	20Kilometr	56:18	-	Apr 4, 1998	-	Milano (ITA)
1998	Semi	59:17	-	Apr 4, 1998	↓	Milano (ITA)
1997	3000m	7:37.68	-	Jul 4, 1997	↓	Oslo (NOR)
1997	5000m	12:49.87	-	Aug 13, 1997	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1997	10000m	26:27.85	-	Aug 22, 1997	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1997	CrossCount	35:11	-	Mar 23, 1997	↓	25th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Torino
1997	15Kilometr	44:48	-	Dec 31, 1997	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
1997	Semi	1:00:23	-	Apr 12, 1997	↓	Milano (ITA)
1996	Mile	3:58.4	-	Aug 10, 1996	-	-
1996	3000m	7:28.70	-	Aug 10, 1996	↓	Monaco (MON)
1996	5000m	12:54.72	-	Aug 14, 1996	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1996	10000m	26:54.41	-	Aug 23, 1996	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1996	CrossCount	31:35	-	Dec 22, 1996	↓	-
1996	15Kilometr	43:50	-	Dec 31, 1996	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
1996	Semi	58:51	-	Mar 30, 1996	↓	-
1995	3000m	7:36.68	-	Jul 25, 1995	↓	Stade Louis II, Monaco (MON)
1995	5000m	13:07.49	-	Aug 16, 1995	↑	Zürich (SUI)
1995	10000m	27:14.08	-	Aug 25, 1995	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1995	CrossCount	34:05	-	Mar 25, 1995	↓	23rd IAAF/SNICKERS World Cross Country Championships
1995	15Kilometr	43:12	-	Dec 31, 1995	↓	São Paulo (BRA)
1995	10MilesRoa	45:50	-	Sep 17, 1995	↑	Zaandam (NED)
1995	Semi	59:56	-	Mar 31, 1995	↓	Milano (ITA)
1994	5000m	13:15.07	-	Aug 30, 1994	↑	Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER)
1994	10000m	27:23.89	-	Aug 19, 1994	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1994	10Kilometr	27:40	-	Apr 4, 1994	↓	-
1994	CrossCount	34:36	-	Mar 26, 1994	↓	22nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships
1994	15Kilometr	42:12	-	May 29, 1994	↓	La Courneuve (FRA)
1994	Semi	1:00:13	-	Apr 16, 1994	↓	Milano (ITA)
1993	5000m	13:20.16	-	Sep 5, 1993	↑	Rieti (ITA)
1993	10000m	27:18.43	-	Sep 3, 1993	↑	Bruxelles (BEL)
1993	CrossCount	30:44	-	Feb 27, 1993	↓	-
1993	10MilesRoa	46:07	-	Sep 19, 1993	↑	Zaandam (NED)
1993	Semi	1:00:45	-	Apr 3, 1993	↓	Milano (ITA)
1992	10MilesRoa	46:44	-	Sep 11, 1992	↑	Gargnano (ITA)
1992	Semi	1:01:03	-	Sep 20, 1992	↓	South-Shields IAAF World Half Marathon Championships

2009

2 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	28:46	-	Apr 5	Dublin Great Ireland Run, Dublin
Marathon	2:10:22	-	Mar 1	Otsu Lake Biwa Marathon, Otsu

2008

3 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:13:10	-	Nov 2	New York City Marathon
Semi	1:01:34	-	Sep 28	Lisbon Meia Maratona de Portugal, Lisboa
10Kilometr	30:43	-	Aug 31	Nike+ Human Race, Roma

2007

2 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Semi	1:04:58	-	Sep 23	Porto Sport Zone Half Marathon, Porto
Marathon	2:08:06	-	Apr 22	London Marathon

2006

2 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:10:10	-	Nov 5	New York City Marathon
Semi	59:42	-	Mar 26	Lisboa Half Marathon, Lisboa

2005

4 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
15Kilometr	45:23	-	Dec 31	Luanda St. Sylvester Road Race, Luanda
Marathon	2:09:30	-	Nov 6	New York City Marathon
Marathon	2:11:38	-	Apr 17	London Marathon
Semi	59:10	-	Mar 13	Lisboa Half Marathon, Lisboa

2004

4 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
10Kilometr	28:24	-	Dec 31	Madrid San Silvestre Vallecana, Madrid
Marathon	2:14:45	-	Aug 29	The XXVIII Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Athina
Marathon	2:14:45	-	Aug 18	The XXVIII Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Athina
10Kilometr	28:22	-	May 23	Manchester BUPA Great Run 10K, Manchester

2003

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
15Kilometr	43:51	-	Nov 16	Nijmegen Zevenheuvelenloop, Nijmegen
Marathon	2:04:55	-	Sep 28	Berlin Marathon
10Kilometr	29:07	-	Aug 16	Arco Giro Podistico, Arco
10Kilometr	28:48	-	May 26	Manchester
Marathon	2:07:59	-	Apr 13	London Marathon
Semi	1:00:51	-	Mar 16	Lisboa Half Marathon, Lisboa
10Kilometr	28:31	-	Feb 23	San Juan World's Best 10K, San Juan

2002

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:06:18	-	Oct 13	Chicago Marathon
10Kilometr	28:14	-	Sep 22	Prague 10 km, Praha
Semi	1:01:59	-	Sep 1	Virginia Beach Half Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA
10Kilometr	28:59	-	Jun 2	Carrera Int. Abraham Rosa 10km, Toa Baja
Marathon	2:05:48	-	Apr 14	London Marathon
Semi	59:46	-	Mar 24	Lisbon Half Marathon, Lisboa
10Kilometr	28:18	-	Feb 17	San Juan World's Best 10K, San Juan

2001

7 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
Marathon	2:08:56	-	Oct 7	Chicago Marathon
Semi	1:00:30	-	Sep 16	South Shields BUPA Great North Run, South Shields
Semi	1:03:15	-	Jul 1	Sapporo Half Marathon, Sapporo
Marathon	2:08:15	-	Apr 22	London Marathon
Semi	1:00:27	-	Apr 1	Lisbon Half Marathon, Lisboa
10Kilometr	28:25	-	Feb 26	San Juan World's Best 10K, San Juan
10Kilometr	28:46	-	Jan 5	Maldonado Corrida Internacional de San Fernando, Maldonado

2000

12 performances

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
15Kilometr	43:57	-	Dec 31	Sao Paulo Corrida de Sao Silvestre, São Paulo
Semi	1:03:47	-	Nov 12	Veracruz IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Veracruz
10000m	27:18.29	-	Sep 25	The XXVII Olympic Games
10000m	27:18.29	-	Sep 22	The XXVII Olympic Games
10000m	27:44.07	-	Sep 22	The XXVII Olympic Games
10000m	27:03.87	-	Aug 25	Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme
5000m	12:58.21	-	Aug 11	Weltklasse Zürich
5000m	13:25.4HT	-	Jul 22	Kenyan Championships
5000m	13:54.0HT	-	Jul 21	Kenyan Championships, Nairobi
5000m	13:02.49	-	Jul 5	Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne
5000m	12:55.18	-	Jun 30	Roma Golden Gala
5000m	13:50.2HT	-	Jun 24	Nairobi Armed Force Ch., Nairobi

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Paul Tergat's 10 000 m personal best?

Paul Tergat's 10 000 m personal best is 26:27.85, set on Aug 22, 1997 in Bruxelles (BEL), #4 on the all-time list.

Which events does Paul Tergat compete in?

Paul Tergat competes in the 10 000 m and 3000 m.

How did Paul Tergat perform in 2009?

2009 season best: 28:46, set on Apr 5, 2009 in Dublin (IRL).

How many medals has Paul Tergat won?

Paul Tergat has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 3 World Championships medals.