Khalid Skah, the 1992 Olympic 10,000 metres champion, yesterday revealed his intention to become one of the world’s best marathon runners. On a perfect morning for road running by the English coast in Portsmouth, Moroccan Skah won the BUPA Great South Run with a superbly-controlled performance. And seconds after he crossed the line, he set out his markers for the year - his debut at the marathon. “I am not sure where it will be but that is my aim because I believe I can be a great marathon runner,” said Skah. “When you look at Paul Tergat, he has won the World Cross Country title but he has not won the Olympics on the track. I have. “Haile Gebrselassie has won the Olympic gold, not the World Cross. I have done them both and now I want to challenge for something at the marathon. “I am pleased with my run here and I am looking to the challenge which the marathon will bring.” Skah has trained regularly with his former countryman and marathon world record-holder Khalid Khannouchi and said: “We have worked together both in Morocco and New York and I am looking forward to that first race.” Boston or London could become the target for a man who dominated proceedings yesterday. He was never outside the lead group and it was only a matter of time before he stamped his authority over the biggest 10 miles road race in Europe with an estimated 10,200 runners. Kenyan John Mutai set the standard in his usual style by starting fast and leading the men through the first mile in 4.33. But Mutai was not 100 per cent fit and dropped away as quickly as he had taken the lead. Skah, the former world half-marathon champion who was 10th in Bristol at this year’s event a week ago, took over briefly before the race developed into a lead pack of four. Joining Skah were Kenyans George Okworo, Hillary Lelei and Simon Kasimili and they dominated the next three miles. The South Coast had been the hottest part of Britain the day before with temperatures soaring towards 80 degrees but it was a cloudy morning with a cool breeze that greeted the leaders when they reached the halfway point. It was there that Kasmili dropped away with Skah, Okworo and Lelei forming a large breakaway. From then on the race was between those three. The pace slowed between miles six and seven, dropping to 4.50 before Skah increased the speed. He ran the ninth in 4.37 and though Okworo stayed as close to him as he could, Skah’s strength told as he won by two seconds in 46.17 minutes. Lelei was third in 46.38 with South African Chipj Abner fourth in 47.48 followed by Kasimili in 47.53. “I look for fighting spirit from these races and I had a great run today,” said Khah. Tanzania’s Restituta Joseph won the women’s race with a fine performance in 52.36 from Latvian Jelena Prokopchuka who was second in 53.35 with Annie Emmerson of Britain third in 55.13.By an IAAF Correspondent

Khalid Skah, the 1992 Olympic 10,000 metres champion, yesterday revealed his intention to become one of the world’s best marathon runners.

Khalid Skah wins Great South Run and eyes marathon future

The women's race got the crowd cheering this afternoon in Tourcoing with three runners in contention with 100 metres to go. France's Blandine Bitzner-Ducret ran a gutsy race running neck to neck with world class athletes such as World Championships runner-up Paula Radcliffe (GBR) and South African marathon ace Colleen De Reuck, surging with the finish line in view and never looking back. Radcliffe, who occasionally works as a translator for the IAAF, could only look on and was just beaten across the line by the young Kenyan, Susan Chepkemei. 32 year old Bitzner-Ducret, coached by her husband, proved this afternoon that, on a good day, she can run with the best. "I felt great throughout the race, and I just ran with the leaders knowing that if it came to a sprint finish, I had a good a chance as anybody." Paula Radcliffe, who surprised many people last year by taking second place at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Turin, is now off to Albuquerque in order to try to regain the form that was hers last season. In Marrakech, Radcliffe will want to prove that she is still the woman to beat. The IAAF's World Cross Challenge standings are still lead by the Kenyan Jaqueline Maranga with 66 points, who was in Kenya competing in the annual armed forces&rsquo; cross country meet - where she took second place to Jane Omoro; Romanian, Mariana Chirila who finished a distant 8th today managed however to get within a point of the Kenyan and is currently second in the standings with 65 points; Radcliffe is third with 60 points. The men's race was unfortunately marred by the lack of qualified athletes, following several last minute withdrawals, which meant that the race did not score for the Challenge. However, this was another close finish, with former Olympic Champion and crowd favourite, Kalid Skah from Morocco taking the sprint over Kenyan, Laban Chege, who had lead most of the race. Frenchman, and up-coming triathlete, Yann Millon, currently leading the IAAF World Cross Challenge was unable to keep up the fast pace, diminished by tendon problems and finished in twelfth place.Following the race, Skah, who was twice world cross country champion in 1990 and 1991 said that he had no plans to compete in the forthcoming World Championships in Marrkech on 21-22 March and would now be concentrating on the indoor season. The Men's Challenge's standings are unchanged, as today's race was non scoring. The next stop of the IAAF World Cross Challenge is in Vilamoura, Portugal on Sunday, 8th February, for the 22nd Almond Blossom cross country.Jane Boulter for the IAAF

The women's race got the crowd cheering this afternoon in Tourcoing with three runners in contention with 100 metres to go. France's Blandine Bitzner-Ducret ran a gutsy race running neck to neck with world class athletes such as World Championships runner-up Paula Radcliffe (GBR) and South African marathon ace Colleen De Reuck, surging with the finish line in view and never looking back. 

Khalid Skah wins Great South Run and eyes marathon future

Bitzner-Ducret thrills French crowd - Skah wins but gets no points