Former Kenyan world cross-country champion Paul Tergat predicted yesterday the men's marathon world best time would soon dip under 2:04.

The 33-year-old, who finished second in the London Marathon on April 14, said the distance had become so competitive that his prediction could be realised this year.

"I can foresee a sub-2:04 in the not-too-distant future. I can't foretell who will run it. But, with the sort of field that I saw in the London Marathon last week, I wouldn't be surprised if it is done this year," Tergat, world crosscountry champion between 1995 and 1999, told Reuters.

Tergat finished second to Moroccan-American Khalid Khannouchi, who reduced his previous world best of 2:05:42 - set in the Chicago Marathon in 1999 - to 2:05:38.

The Kenya Air Force sergeant clocked 2:05:48, a Kenyan record. Tergat holds the world half-marathon best of 59:17, set in Milan. He is currently at home attending the First Africa Military Games in which his compatriots are dominating in the track and field.