Guerrouj breaks world record

ROME, July 15: Hicham El Guerrouj took another long stride past Noureddine Morceli in the annals of middle-distance running slashing more than a second off the Algerian great8217;s world record for the 1,500 metres.

El Guerrouj, who beat a fading Morceli to take the 1,500 gold at the World Championships last summer, clocked 3 minutes, 26 seconds at the Golden Gala meet on a cool night yesterday.

8220;Everything was right in Rome,8221; the 23-year-old said after erasing Morceli8217;s standard of 3:27.37, established at nice, France, in July 1995. 8220;The weather conditions and the track were good, and I was in the right shape,8221; he added.