Kampala — Moses Kipsiro never runs out of surprises. When you least expect him to perform, he comes up with a top drawer memorable display.

The Ugandan runner, competing in his first international track race this year, overwhelmed a strong field to win a 3000m race at the Herculis Super Grand Prix in Monaco, Tuesday night.

Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele, the most feared distance runner, was missing in action but that doesn't water down Kipsiro's display that saw him escape from the chasing pack with more than a lap to run.

For a man recovering from injury to win in a new personal best (PB) time and national record of 7:30.95 was a clear signal to opponents that Kipsiro is ready to challenge for honours at next month's World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.

"That was awesome, very unbelievable stuff," Kipsiro's local manager Godfrey Nuwagaba commented about the runner's performance.

Kipsiro's old national record and PB stood at 7:32.03. Coincidentally, he set it in Monaco two years ago.

The 23-year-old Kipsiro looked unimpressive last week enroute to winning a 1500m race at the national championships and it took a brave heart to bet on him winning the World Athletics Tour race.

Very comfortable

But, running on the outside right from the gun, Kipsiro seemed to be very comfortable throughout the seven-and-a half-lap race. He kept tabs on the leading pack but exploded inside the second-last lap with Kenyan Silas Kipruto in chase. Inside the final 300m, Kipsiro was already a clear winner, leaving Kipruto (7:32.52) to settle for second and another Kenyan Alex Mutahi (7:33.02) third. Fenchman Tahri Bouabdellah (7:33.18) finished fourth and Kenyan Mark Kiptoo (7:34.87) fifth. With that performance, Kipsiro returns home today to resume his build-up for Berlin.

A 5000m bronze medallist at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Kipsiro is Uganda's realistic medal hope at this year's edition.

Monaco Grand Prix results

3000m

Moses Kipsiro (UGA) 7:30.95

Silas Kipruto (KEN) 7:32.52

Alex Mutahi (KEN) 7:33.02

Tahri Bouabdellah (FRA) 7:33.18

Mark Kiptoo (KEN) 7:34.87

800m

Abubaker Kaki (SUD) 1:43.50

Y.y Borzakovskiy (RUS) 1:43.58

N.Symmonds (USA) 1:43.83