Tergat, who holds the world record in the marathon, helped Chelanga find a U.S. college to run for. He had immediate success at Fairleigh Dickinson, even though he had never run in any kind of race before showing up there last year.

He has impressed McDougal, who said he beat Chelanga three times last year, while Chelanga won twice.

"I mean, I've been racing for over half my life," McDougal said. "He walked out one day and started to run with the best runners in the world. After a few months, he started to be able to hang with them. Then he came over to the U.S. and raced amazing.

"He has a lot to learn about racing. I could tell even from the times he beat me, if this guy sticks with it and learns a lot more about running, then the sky's the limit. I think he's perhaps the most talented runner in the NCAA."

McDougal is pretty talented himself. An 11-time All-American entering his senior season, he's eying the 2008 Olympics. But that goal is in the back of his mind for now.

"It's back there, but the focus is going to be on the team," he said. "And just day by day, putting in the training. If I work hard and stay healthy, my fitness is going to be there. I'm just going to go out there and do my best and leave the results up to the Lord."

At Friday's clinic, McDougal stressed consistency in training and told the runners in attendance not to get too caught up in results.

Chelanga is waiting on a release to be able to race for Liberty this season. Otherwise, he'll be part of the team but will have to compete unattached until 2008-09.

Chelanga still has a resource other collegiate runners would be jealous of "" a group of world-class runners in Kenya who are always just a phone call away.

"I'm lucky, yes," he said with a smile. "If I need something regarding my running, I just call them, and they always help me. And they watch me run. They watch through the internet, so they know what's going on."

McDougal is looking forward to having Chelanga around.

"He trains with the best marathon group in the world," McDougal said. "He's great friends with perhaps one of the best runners to ever live "" if you were to mention Paul Tergat, there's only one, maybe two guys you can mention in the same breath.

"He trains with so many great runners, and he's such a great runner himself that it will be great just to be able to work out with him. We'll be able to push each other."

clewis@pressrepublican.com