Paul Tergat is the first man to run 26 miles in less than two hours and four minutes. He himself received WFP food aid as an eight-year-old schoolchild in Kenya.
ATHLETE
Paul Tergat from Kenya holds the world record for running a marathon. He is the first man to run 26 miles in less than two hours and four minutes. In fact he was a remarkable 43 seconds faster than the previous world best time.
When he was an eight-year-old pupil at Riwo Primary School in Kenya’s Rift Valley, he himself received food aid from WFP.
Paul’s most recent victory was winning the New York City Marathon in November 2005.
WFP ACTIVITIES
Paul Tergat uses his position at the top of international athletics to raise awareness of WFP’s School Feeding program. “Without food, it was very difficult to walk to school, let alone concentrate on our studies,” he says. “WFP’s lunches made it easier for us to make the most of our education. A full meal was also the perfect incentive to keep us in the classroom.”
