Kenyan middle distance kings Moses Kiptanui and Daniel Komen failed in their respective bids to break the 3,000 metres steeplechase and one mile world records yesterday. Kiptanui, the first man to go under eight minutes for the steeplechase, won his race eight minutes 0.54 seconds, 18 seconds ahead of his nearest rival but well outside the world best of 7:55.72 set by compatriot Wilson Boit Kipketer in Cologne last month. Kiptanui looked to be on course for the record in the early laps but slowed in the middle part of the race, run on a muggy, overcast evening in the Italian town of Rieti, north east of Rome.

Although he picked up the pace again in the final two laps, leaving second and third-placed Kenyans Jonathan Kandie and Paul Kosgei in his wake, the world record was not threatened.

Komen, the newly-crowned world champion and world record holder over 5,000 metres, failed to shine when he moved down to the mile on a track that has traditionally produced fast times over middle and long distances.

Although he won easily, his time of 3:47.84 was well outside the world best 3:44.39 set by Algeria's Noureddine Morceli on the same track four years ago.

The Kenyans again claimed a 12-3 finish with Julius Kiptoo second in 3:53.53 and John Kibowen third in 3:54.43.

Morceli proved he is by no means a spent force over 1,500 metres by beating a field shorn of world champion Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco and Venuste Niyongabo of Burundi.

El Guerrouj withdrew from the meeting at the 11th hour while Burundian Niyongabo switched to a specially arranged 2,000 metres race.

Despite the lack of competition, Morceli cruised to victory in 3:31.00, over seven seconds faster than his time in the world championships in Athens last month where he finished fourth.