Athletics: Men can help Radcliffe to marathon world best, says Tergat

Paul Tergat, the second-fastest male marathon runner of all time, believes Paula Radcliffe, his female counterpart, can produce a world best in Sunday's La Salle Chicago Marathon despite the forecast of poor weather. Radcliffe, whose time of 2hr 18min 56sec in winning her debut marathon in London six months ago has been bettered by only one other female, this week played down her prospects of setting a new mark because of the likelihood of wind and rain.

But Kenya's five-times world cross country champion, who will seek this weekend to better his second in the Windy City last year, thinks Radcliffe has underestimated the advantage she will gain from running in company with men.

"You have to remember it's a mixed race," said Tergat. "There will be plenty of men running alongside the leading women and this will help them and offer shelter. I expect Paula to charge off and keep going as she normally does. But there will always be a man next to her, encouraging her.

"This is a flat course, and I still think Paula can beat the world record. I so admire her – she is such a great performer. Even when she was beaten you could see that she had given every last ounce of energy. Watching her run makes me feel good. She is an emotional runner and I think she can only get better and better."

Tergat himself is on a steeply upward curve as a marathon runner – had it not been for an inspired performance by Khalid Khannouchi, of the United States, who won this year's London race in 2:05.38, his time of 2:05.48 would lead the all-time rankings just over a year after he had moved up to the marathon distance.

Khannouchi is also running on Sunday, seeking his fourth Chicago win. But the former Moroccan does not appear to be in the kind of form he enjoyed before running in London judging by his below par results in recent half marathons at Castelbueno in Italy and Philadelphia.