Athletics · International
Mohammed Mourhit wins the world cross-country long race
The Belgian runner ended Paul Tergat’s five-year reign in Vilamoura.
2000-03-19 · Vilamoura, Portugal
Event date:
The story
Mohammed Mourhit won the men’s long race at the World Cross Country Championships in Vilamoura on 19 March 2000. The result ended Paul Tergat’s run of five consecutive individual world titles.
How it unfolded
World Athletics’ contemporary report identifies Mourhit as the first European winner since Carlos Lopes in 1985. The official results place Tergat third in 35:02, making clear that the defending champion remained on the podium despite losing the title.
The wider picture
The long race was one component of the championship programme, which also included a short race and junior events. Its individual result must be distinguished from the team classification, where several runners’ positions contributed to a national score.
Sources
Check the original record.
Open the governing body or organiser’s publication for the underlying result, decision or tournament update.