March 2005
6 MARCH 2005: LAKE BIWA MARATHON, JAPAN
Joseph Riri overcame defending Champion Jose Rios despite taking a wrong turn in the last
800m writes Ken Nakamura. He lost his six-second lead in the process, but surged ahead
again in the stadium, with just over 200m to go.
Three pacemakers took the field through the first half of the race in just over three
minutes/km pace, with 38 runners passing halfway together (1:03:51). From here Riri and the
last pacemaker, Pablo Olmedo, started to push the pace and the north wind was now behind them.
Two Brazilians, Marilson dos Santos and Wanderlei de Lima, lost contact. At 25km Olmedo
stopped, and Riri and Rios started to stretch the remaining pack. Seven got detached after
26km, leading another group of four by several seconds. Takashi Tokunaga fell back from the
first group as Yuko Matsumiya moved up to it. Rios and Riri then split the lead group again,
with only Michitaka Hosokawa able to keep pace with them as they went past 30km (1:30:17)
and back into a headwind. The pace slipped, as Riri did most of the leading. The chasing
group, led mainly by Wataru Okutani, was 60m behind at 36km but closed to about 30m by 39km.
They got no closer, and with a kilometre to go Riri made his first move.
MEN ONLY:
1 Joseph RIRI JPN 2:09:00
2 Jose RIOS ESP 2:09:03
3 Mitchitaka HOSOKAWA JPN 2:09:10
4 Wataru OKUTANI JPN 2:09:13
5 Yuko MATSUMIYA JPN 2:09:18
6 Takashi TOKUNAGA JPN 2:10:10
7 Toshiya KATAYAMA JPN 2:10:12
8 Ruggero PERTILE ITA 2:11:13
9 Shin-ichi WATANABE JPN 2:12:16
10 Atsushi FUJITA JPN 2:12:30
6 MARCH 2005: LOS ANGELES MARATHON, USA
In the first edition of the Los Angeles Marathon under its new management, Devine Racing,
consistently fast performances were posted, a great battle in the men's race yielded two
sub-2:10 times, and in the women's race Lyubov Denisova's fast winning time was more than
equalled by a new 50+ world age best from Tatyana Poznakova.
MEN:
1 Mark SAINA KEN 2:09:35
2 Ben MAIYO KEN 2:09:45
3 Laban KIPKEMBOI KEN 2:10:51
4 Simon BOR KEN 2:12:13
5 Wesley KIMUTAI KEN 2:15:22
6 Benson MBITHI KEN 2:17:48
7 Matthew BIRIR KEN 2:19:07
8 Bruce RAYMER CAN 2:22:04
9 Motofumi AMANO JPN 2:24:07
10 David BUSIENEI KEN 2:24:44
WOMEN:
1 Lyubov DENISOVA RUS 2:26:11
2 Zivile BALCIUNAITE LIT 2:28:10
3 Hellen KIMUTAI KEN 2:28:36
4 Dire TUNE ETH 2:30:48
5 Tatyana POZDNAKOVA UKR 2:31:05
6 Anna PICHRTOVA CZE 2:33:02
7 Yelena BURYKINA RUS 2:36:14
8 Tatiana TITOVA RUS 2:37:51
9 Aurica BUIA ROM 2:40:49
10 Malgorzata JAMROZ POL 2:42:57
13 MARCH 2005: EDP MEIA MARATONA DE LISBOA, PORTUGAL
The Lisbon Half Marathon celebrated its 15th anniversary with a record field of 30,000
participants in the fun run, among whom were the President of Portugal, the Prime Minister
and the Mayor of Lisbon. With the first anniversary of the Madrid bombing only two days before
the race, this was a political statement of solidarity.
Paul Tergat, was the first of 5000 runners in the title event, and narrowly missed breaking
his own course record. He benefited from the fast pace set by Robert Kipchumba and then by
Robert Cheruiyot. The lead group reduced to eight people by 6km, after a relatively slow 5km
split (which drops 69m from the roadway of the high-level bridge across the Tagus River) of
14:37. It took as long as that for the masses of fun runners to cross the start line. Olympic
marathon Champion Stefano Baldini let the group go early, and chased at his own pace. After
taking in a diversion from the waterfront through the city centre, the leaders passed 10km in
28:00.
The eastern turning point came at 12km, and pacemaker Robert Kipchumba dropped out soon
afterwards. In the 14th kilometre World Marathon champion Jaoud Gharib dropped back with
Rodgers Rop; World Half Marathon champion Paul Kirui had gone a little earlier. There were now
four runners in the lead group: Cheruiyot, who continued to lead, Martin Lel, Wilson Kiprotich
and Tergat himself. Lel was the next to go, just after passing back under the pylons of the
25 de Abril Bridge, at 18km. Tergat now took control and soon Kiprotich's challenge was fading.
In his sustained drive for the finishing line it never looked like Tergat would be bested.
Cheruiyot yielded to his power in the 20th kilometre, leaving Tergat to stride out to
victory.
In the women's race Susan Chepkemei won a similarly confident victory. She pulled away from
Margaret Okayo and Asha Gigi in the 15th kilometre and went on to win by 150m.
MEN:
1 Paul TERGAT KEN 59:10
2 Robert CHERUIYOT KEN 59:21
3 Wilson KIPROTICH KEN 59:27
4 Martin LEL KEN 59:42
5 Rogers ROP KEN 1:00:46
6 Jaoud GHARIB MAR 1:00:51
7 Paul KIRUI KEN 1:01:15
8 Stefano BALDINI ITA 1:01:17
9 Tolossa AMBESSE ETH 1:01:18
10 Benson CHERONO KEN 1:02:07
WOMEN:
1 Susan CHEPKEMEI KEN 1:08:49
2 Margaret OKAYO KEN 1:09:19
3 Asha GIGI ETH 1:09:55
4 Rosalba CONSOLE ITA 1:09:57
5 Merima DENBOBA ETH 1:10:38
6 Joyce CHEPCHUMBA KEN 1:10:40
7 Leah MALOT KEN 1:12:02
8 Claudia OBERLIN GER 1:13:32
9 Fatima SILVA POR 1:13:54
10 Monica SILVA POR 1:15:41
13 MARCH 2005: NAGOYA INT'L WOMEN'S MARATHON, JAPAN
Yumiko Hara won her first marathon in the third fastest time ever recorded in the race
writes Ken Nakamura. Finishing second, as she did last year, Megumi Oshima was only
25m behind Hara and improved her personal best by 22 seconds. In third place Ryoko Eda
improved by over four minutes. Three of the top six finishers were debutantes while pre-race
favourite Yoko Shibui suffered from sinus problems and could finish only seventh, nearly
eight minutes slower than her national record.
The pace was fast from the start, with a group of 14 passing through 5km in 16:49. After
pacemaker Restituta Joseph dropped out the pace slackened, although the second pacemaker
Lidia Grigoryeva continued to lead through to 25km, passed in 1:25:26. Shibui took over from
Grigoryeva but did not press the pace. Seven runners passed 30km together in 1:43:12.
On an uphill at 31.5km Hara and Eda moved ahead. By 35km (2:00:40) Eda and Hara led Oshima and
Yasuko Hashimoto by three seconds, with Shibui another nine seconds back. Oshima worked her
way back to Hara's shoulder by 36km, and at 37km Eda dropped back. Hara later admitted to a
side-stitch which prevented her from making her planned break at 35km. "I stayed behind
for longer, and tried not to show the effect of the stitch to the others," she said.
Both Oshima and Eda have a good chance of World Championship selection as only Hara and
Osaka Marathon winner Mari Ozaka qualified as of right for the five places available.
WOMEN ONLY:
1 Yumiko HARA JPN 2:24:19
2 Megumi OSHIMA JPN 2:24:25
3 Ryoko EDA JPN 2:24:54
4 Yasuko HASHIMOTO JPN 2:25:21
5 Kiyomi OGAWA JPN 2:26:02
6 Chieko YAMASAKI JPN 2:27:22
7 Yoko SHIBUI JPN 2:27:40
8 Takami OMINAMI JPN 2:31:16
9 Kaoru NISHI JPN 2:32:39
10 Monica DRYBULSKA POL 2:33:14
13 MARCH 2005: SEOUL INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, KOREA
MEN:
1 William KIPSANG KEN 2:08:53
2 Gert THUYS RSA 2:11:19
3 Tomoaki KUNICHIKA JPN 2:11:32
4 Andrew SAMBU TAN 2:12:15
5 Tereje WODAJO ETH 2:14:16
6 Mitsuhiro ANJO JPN 2:16:38
7 Michael MISLAY TAN 2:16:58
8 Joshua CHELANGA KEN 2:17:03
9 Mbarak HUSSEIN KEN 2:18:33
10 Faustin BAHA TAN 2:19:09
WOMEN:
1 Chunxiu ZHOU CHN 2:23:24
2 Yanan WEI CHN 2:25:55
3 Helena JAVORNIK SLO 2:29:18
4 Worknesh TOLA ETH 2:29:54
5 Shujing ZHANG CHN 2:29:58
6 Jung-Hee OH KOR 2:31:41
7 Kyung-Hee CHOI KOR 2:33:29
8 Eun-Jung KIM KOR 2:37:55
9 Ji-Youn HWANG KOR 3:04:55
10 Fabiola WILLIAM TAN 3:06:48
13 MARCH 2005: MARATONA DI ROMA, ITALY
The first two kilometres were covered at world record pace writes Diego Sampaolo,
but pacemaking then settled down to a regular 3:03 per kilometre. The lead group passed
through halfway in 1:04:30. The top Italian in the race Alberico Di Cecco, who had finished
a creditable ninth in the Athens Olympic Marathon, took the initiative. The Kenyan pair
Philip Manyim and Daniel Yego launched an attack at 32km. By 35km Yego was eight seconds
ahead of Manyim and 17 seconds ahead of Di Cecco. Manyim fought back to draw level at 37km,
and Di Cecco reduced his disadvantage to seven seconds. Di Cecco kept working hard and as the
Colosseum came into view he finally got to the front to set a new course record and become
third fastest on the Italian all-time list. He had twice before come third in the race and
later said: "I did not want to come third in Rome again. I aimed for a new personal best.
I thought that the win was within my reach with 5km to go."
In the women's race there was not such excitement. Titzia Alagia kept pace with Silviya
Skortsova for only 5km before the Russian went ahead at a steady 3:30 pace to win by a large
margin.
MEN:
1 Alberico DI CECCO ITA 2:08:02
2 Philip MANYIM KEN 2:08:07
3 Daniel YEGO KEN 2:08:16
4 Ottaviano ANDRIANI ITA 2:10:12
5 Dawi TEFERA ETH 2:11:02
6 Nigusse DEGENE ETH 2:11:29
7 Francesco INGARGIOLA ITA 2:12:24
8 William KIPCHUMBA KEN 2:12:36
9 Samuel KEMBOI KEN 2:12:52
10 David MAIYO KEN 2:13:00
WOMEN:
1 Silviya SKORTSOVA RUS 2:28:01
2 Titziana ALAGIA ITA 2:31:46
3 Assale MAGARSA ETH 2:32:34
4 Abeba TOLA ETH 2:34:11
5 Edyta LEWANSOWSKA POL 2:35:43
6 Svetlana NECHAEVA RUS 2:43:35
7 Elena FADEEVA UKR 2:44:48
8 Epiphanie NYRABARAME RWA 2:50:57
9 Dagmar RABENSTEINER AUT 2:57:54
10 Michelle EGGENHUIZEN NED 2:58:41
9-16 MARCH 2005: 100km DEL SAHARA, TUNISIA
During a week-long excursion the race itself took place in five stages held over four days:
one of them is a night stage. The group set off for the Tunisian corner of the Sahara from
the holiday island of Djerba, bound for the great fort of Ksar Soltane in the town of Chenini.
The first 24km stage of the 7th edition of this race took place next day, 11 March, heading
for Gharat Edduiri. Alessandro Lambruschini and Jorge Balle ran the route together in 1:22:54,
eight minutes ahead of their nearest challenger, the Tunisian Adel Chaieb. The leading woman
was Patrizzia Guarnieri in 1:55:55.
The following day was an 18km stage to Campo Pozzo, during which the previous good
conditions gave way to a sandstorm which required runners to battle into headwinds. There was
no change in overall positions and runners retired to the camp to rest before the night stage.
This was held over a 10km loop course, and the storm had calmed so that runners could
experience the magical feeling of running through the starlit desert.
The third day, and fourth stage, was 42km to Aouinet Essbat—the greatest test of the
tour. Running a marathon after the night stage isn't easy, and temperatures rising to 30°C
further tested the runners. The dual leaders were finally prised apart by the conditions,
Lambruschini making a great effort to finish in 2:43:19 to Balle's 2:47:55, while Chaieb
recorded 3:09:22.
The final stage, 26km to Ksar Gilane, provided the toughest conditions of all. Temperatures
reached 33°C in the shade but on the dunes it was recorded at 42°C. Lambruschini
stretched his lead with 1:44:22 over Balle's 1:47:49, but Chaieb pushed him all the way,
finishing only 150m down in 1:44:57.
MEN:
1 Alessandro LAMBRUSCHINI ITA 7:25:29
2 Jorg BALLE ITA 7:33:32
3 Adel CHAIEB TUN 8:02:34
4 Roberto GIORDANO ITA 9:07:36
5 Martijn VAN RIJN NED 9:10:46
6 Juan Molina DEL CASTILLO ITA 9:15:32
7 Alessandro GHISALBERTI ITA 9:30:16
8 Aldo GARZELLI ITA 10:08:35
9 Alessandro CASIRAGHI ITA 10:21:59
10 Nicola BAGNOLI ITA 10:25:23
WOMEN:
1 Patrizia GUARNIERI ITA 10:57:07
2 Anna Maria VAGHI ITA 11:15:23
3 Sonia LORENZI ITA 11:58:04
4 Chiara TIEGHI ITA 12:52:24
5 Lara LORENZI ITA 13:06:01
6 Ivana PILAROVA CZE 13:10:19
7 Laura CORTI ITA 14:18:30
8 Anna Francesca CASCIONE ITA 14:32:04
9 Lucia FIRINU ITA 14:38:15
10 Gabriella SARDO ITA 14:46:42
19 MARCH 2005: CITY-PIER-CITY HALF MARATHON, NETHERLANDS
Between the title race and the supporting 1km, 2.5km, 5km & 10km events, 19,000
runners participated—more than ever before. The weather was great for running: 10°C
and no wind (especially in comparison with last year's storm and rain). There was a large
crowd—upwards of 100,000—who offered encouragement, and many smiling faces among the
runners.
Many top athletes competed in the Half Marathon in both men's and women's races, including
nearly all the top Dutch runners, who were contesting the National Championships within the
open race.
MEN:
1 Moses KIGEN KEN 1:01:45
2 Sammy CHUMBA KEN 1:01:46
3 Jason MBOTE KEN 1:01:49
4 Christopher CHEBOIBACH KEN 1:01:51
5 Mark TANUI KEN 1:01:52
6 Mohammed MOURHIT BEL 1:01:54
7 Robert CHERORBOR KEN 1:01:55
8 Getuli BAYO TAN 1:01:57
9 Larbi ZEROUAL MOR 1:02:02
10 Luc KROTWEER NED 1:02:20
WOMEN:
1 Mary PTIKANY KEN 1:10:18
2 Kutre DULECHA ETH 1:10:54
3 Aniko KALOVICS HUN 1:11:08
4 Denninha ARUSIU KEN 1:11:20
5 Selma BORST NED 1:11:23
6 Susan KIRUI KEN 1:11:49
7 Nadja WIJENBERG NED 1:11:56
8 Rebbie KOECH KEN 1:13:02
9 Emily KIMURIA KEN 1:13:47
10 Kristijna LOONON NED 1:14:08
19 MARCH 2005: THAILAND TEMPLE RUN
More than 2100 runners, including over 400 foreign runners from 29 countries, participated
in the race writes Roman Floesser. Participation was up almost 100% from the previous
year underlining the growing popularity of the event locally and internationally.
In hot and humid conditions Thai runner Boonchu Chandecha was first to cross the finish
line in a new course record time, while defending champion Jirisak Suttichart finished third.
Sunisa Sailomyen defended her title in the women's race.
Race director Raimund Wellenhofer commented: "This is a big step forward and there is
still a lot of potential for growth. ING support has given the race a high profile."
After a traditional Thai opening ceremony runners were sent on one of the most picturesque
marathon courses in the world, leading past Buddhist Temples, through banana and coconut
plantations, past rice paddies and through typical Thai villages. They were cheered on along
the course by Thai cultural bands and curious villagers. After nightfall torches and globe
lights along the course combined with the sound of crickets and traditional Thai music created
a mystical atmosphere.
Singaporean wheelchair racer William Tan, currently bidding to become the first wheelchair
athlete to complete seven marathons on seven continents in 70 days, could tick another
continent off his list. He completed in 2:18 and commented: "It was a beautiful race. I
really enjoyed it."
The "ING Run for my School" took place before the main races. More than 150 kids
lined up for the 1km race. After the run five local schools were presented with cheques to
help buy learning materials and sports equipment.
MEN:
1 Boonchu CHANDECH THA 2:38:51
2 Kordey SENMUD THA 2:39:02
3 Jirasak SUTTICHART THA 2:40:47
4 Solchai CHUSAKUL THA 2:43:07
5 Supit CHANTARAT THA 2:43:07
6 Meechai CHUCHEEP THA 2:47:13
7 Boy THONGCHAN THA 2:48:59
8 Sarawut NGAMSRI THA 2:51:46
9 Jirattikarn BOONMA THA 2:52:52
10 Kamthorn SUKSAWAD THA 3:04:22
WOMEN:
1 Sunisa SAILYOMEN THA 3:25:02
2 Ketmanee SENAPHAN THA 3:26:45
3 Saipin PADCHUN THA 3:28:12
4 Dussanee SAE HENG THA 3:29:41
5 Ashley CLARK USA 3:44:10
6 Anchalee WONGPANICH THA 3:45:02
HALF MARATHON:
MEN:
1 Boonthung SRISANG THA 1:14:28
2 Amnuay TONGMITR THA 1:14:35
3 Sutat KALLAYANAKITTI THA 1:15:04
WOMEN:
1 Saifon PIAWONG THA 1:31:33
2 Saifon LALEE THA 1:31:36
3 Vilaiwan KAMPITAK THA 1:33:56
10km:
MEN:
1 WARDLEY GBR 38:05
2 Phu-negern SAENGKAEW THA 39:05
3 Danny Chan-Fuk HING HKG 39:22
WOMEN:
1 Rattanapan RITLERT THA 45:31
2 Cutumas VARIVAN THA 46:49
3 Junaree TANHAKIJ THA 47:09
20 MARCH 2005: GRAZER-MURPROMENADEN HALF MTHN, AUSTRIA
The 17th edition of the race, held in the capital of Styria province, attracted 1,000
runners from 11 countries. A half-marathon relay race, a 5km race and a children's race were
held in conjunction with the main event. Runners, and thousands of spectators along the
course, bravely withstood the icy cold. Not least because of the cold (3°C at the start)
the course record set up by Stephen Tapala (Ken) in 2003 was never endangered.
Wolfgang Cramaro from the neighbouring province of Carinthia won comfortably from Günter
Pumhösl, while local favourite and last year's winner Jürgen Plechinger was beaten into 12th
place (1:17:12). The winning relay team was "Team Kolland Top Sport", consisting of
Klaus Menczinger and Peter Pfripfl, in 1:12:40.
MEN:
1 Wolfgang CRAMARO AUT 1:11:43
2 Gunter PUMHOSL AUT 1:12:00
3 Gunther HARTENBERGER AUT 1:12:34
4 Gernot SEIDL AUT 1:13:35
5 Alexander BOGENSPERGER AUT 1:13:51
6 Ronald FIEDLER AUT 1:14:01
7 Michael GRALL AUT 1:14:41
8 Bernhard SANTNER AUT 1:14:48
9 Hermann PEINDL AUT 1:15:54
10 Helmut DORN AUT 1:16:21
WOMEN:
1 Jessica JARZ AUT 1:27:58
2 Karin GETHER AUT 1:30:17
3 Christine WENZL AUT 1:33:53
4 Barbara PLIESSNIG AUT 1:34:34
5 Manuela SCHREFLER AUT 1:35:04
6 Sylvie TRAMOY AUT 1:36:15
7 Simone HELFENSCHNEIDER AUT 1:37:17
8 Maria FREI AUT 1:38:24
9 Elfriede FIEDLER AUT 1:38:35
10 Sabina KREITER AUT 1:39:00
20 MARCH 2005: VIGARANO MARATHON, ITALY
The 27th edition was a real success, despite coinciding with other famous marathons in
Italy, and it again attracted a conspicuous number of foreign tourist runners.
A shy spring sun provided the background to almost 1000 runners between the Marathon and
the competitive 11.4km race, both held along a flat and fast route through the walls of
Ferrara's historic medieval centre and its nearby countryside.
The lack of foreign elite athletes made the race more exhilarating, with local winners
Graziano Giordanengo from Cuneo and Katia Bianchini from Bologna.
MEN:
1 Graziano GIORDANENGO ITA 2:31:17
2 Emiliano MARCHETTI ITA 2:36:29
3 Daniel MOLNAQ 2:36:41
4 Faiz HASSAN 2:37:18
5 Claudio PASTORE ITA 2:37:43
6 Corrado REGGIANI ITA 2:38:40
7 Joan Nicole STIR 2:38:49
8 Claudio BALBONI ITA 2:39:26
9 Fabrizio COCCHI ITA 2:39:36
10 Marcello COLOMBARI ITA 2:40:16
WOMEN:
1 Katia BIANCHINI ITA 3:05:42
2 Mercedes GIL 3:06:56
3 Roberta MONARI ITA 3:11:52
4 Grazia RANFAGNI ITA 3:17:53
5 Marilena DALL'ANESE ITA 3:18:20
6 Mariya OSTROVSKA 3:18:57
7 Rosa MASTROMAURO ITA 3:19:50
8 Ceterina BENEDETTA ITA 3:21:24
9 Luisa Maria COSTETTI ITA 3:21:43
10 Lisa DESIDERA ITA 3:22:44
26 MARCH 2005: TWO OCEANS MARATHON 56km, SOUTH AFRICA
Riel Hauman writes: Marco Mambo (ZIM) ran the third fastest time ever and became
the first repeat winner since 1997 - only the 7th runner ever to do so.
In the women's race Yelena Nurgalieva and sister Olesya again took the first two places,
and were followed by compatriot Marina Bychkova in her debut Two Oceans.
Mambo was content to run in the huge pack that formed at the front of the field in cool,
overcast conditions. The first climb is a long 150m ascent of Chapman's Peak, followed by a
drop down to the little village of Hout Bay. Mambo surged away from everyone on the second
big incline, which rises 215m to Constantia Nek.
His rivals could only watch from behind as he passed the marathon mark in 2:19:36. His
lead was only seven seconds, but Mambo flew over the top of "the Nek" at 45 km and
won in a time two minutes quicker than last year.
There was no stopping the Russians in the women's race as they continued their domination
of South African ultras. Yelena Nurgalieva has now won Comrades in 2003 and 2004 and Two
Oceans in 2004 and 2005. Her sister was second three times. Bychkova, who has won six gold
medals in the Comrades, ran her first Two Oceans and finished 90 seconds ahead of Gladys
Lukhwareni.
Over 7800 runners ran the 36th edition of this ultra event and another 7300 in the half
marathon. In the half Hendrick Ramaala broke the course record with his 63:29, but second
placed Zimbabwean Wirimayi Juwawo was given the same time. Another Zimbabwean, Mamorallo
Tjoka, won the women's race while defending champion Ronel Thomas came in third.
MEN:
1 Marco MAMBO ZIM 3:05:39
2 Sipho NGOMANE RSA 3:08:05
3 Graham MALINGA RSA 3:10:11
4 Luketz SWARTBOOI NAM 3:11:34
5 Brian ZONDI RSA 3:11:37
6 Kaserai SITA ZIM 3:11:50
7 Hlonepha MPHULANYANE RSA 3:12:21
8 Honest MUTSAKANE ZIM 3:12:34
9 Harmans MIOKGADI RSA 3:13:30
10 Moses NJODZI RSA 3:16:41
WOMEN:
1 Elena NURGALIEVA RUS 3:38:14
2 Olesya NURGALIEVA RUS 3:38:25
3 Marina BYCHKOVA RUS 3:41:59
4 Gladys LUKHWARENI RSA 3:43:28
5 Tatyana ZHIRKOVA RUS 3:47:13
6 Farwa MENTOOR RSA 3:50:20
7 Yolanda MCLEAN RSA 3:50:50
8 Paulina PHAHO RSA 3:58:10
9 Grace DE OLIVEIRA RSA 4:00:38
10 Eunice NLHAPO RSA 4:04:09
HALF MARATHON
MEN:
1 Hendrick RAMAALA RSA 1:03:29
2 Wirimayi JUWAYO ZIM 1:03:29
3 George NTSHILZA RSA 1:03:40
WOMEN:
1 Mamarallo TJOKO ZIM 1:15:59
2 Samukeliso MOYO ZIM 1:16:14
3 Ronel THOMAS RSA 1:17:14
26 MARCH 2005: XIAMEN INTERNATIONAL MARATHON, CHINA
Zhou Chunxia won the third Xiamen Marathon only 13 days after winning the Seoul Marathon
writes Mirko Jalava. She had won both previous editions of the Xiamen Marathon, which
has doubled as the Chinese National Championships. Raymond Kipkoech won the men's race in a
new course record.
Zhou's old course record did not fall, but she had improved her best to 2:23:24 in Seoul.
A relatively slow lead group held together until 37km, when Zhou unleashed a blistering finish
to pull ahead of Sun Weiwei by more than a minute. This was Sun's return to competitive form
after her amazing debut as a 17-year old when she ran 2:25:15 in Beijing. Third-placed Zhang
Shujing had finished fifth in Seoul.
The men's race was faster, with four men left together at 23km. Last year's winner, James
Moiben, suffered muscular problems and was unable to challenge. By 30km Kipkoech was away
with Tekeste Kebede, and by 37km he had left him behind as well. Kebede then faded, and was
overtaken by his compatriot Shimelis Mola. A former Berlin winner, Kipkoech recorded his
fourth sub-2:10 time.
MEN:
1 Raymond KIPKOECH KEN 2:09:49
2 Shimelis MOLA ETH 2:10:51
3 Tekeste TEBEDE ETH 2:12:03
WOMEN:
1 Chunxiou ZHOU CHN 2:29:58
2 Weiwei SUN CHN 2:31:11
3 Shujing ZHANG CHN 2:31:57
27 MARCH 2005: NOVI SAD HALF MARATHON, YUGOSLAVIA
A crowd of 450 runners from 12 countries, gathered in the central square in front of the
City Hall building writes Lazar Isakov. The route follows the Danube River for much of
its length, and passes along the city's most picturesque streets. Olivera Jevtic, top European
in the Olympic Marathon, won the women's race. Several hundred students and boys and girls of
preschool age ran in the associated races.
MEN:
1 Mirko PETROVIC SCG 1:07:16
2 Goran STOJILJKOVIC SCG 1:08:03
3 Duro KODZO BSH 1:08:04
4 Dejan BOGICEVIC SCG 1:08:45
5 Sreten NINCOVIC SCG 1:11:41
6 Branko STEVIC SCG 1:12:21
7 Srdan STOJANOVIC SCG 1:12:31
8 Zdravko MISOVIC SCG 1:12:54
9 Goran JESIC BSH 1:13:27
10 Nebojsa MILENKOVIC SCG 1:14:53
WOMEN:
1 Olivera JEVTIC SCG 1:13:14
2 Natalia CEREHES MDA 1:17:47
3 Ana SUBOTIC SCG 1:18:33
4 Mariana LUKIC SCG 1:19:10
5 Ida KOVACS HUN 1:20:09
6 Svetlana SEPELJEVA SCG 1:21:38
7 Andrea SZABO HUN 1:25:39
8 Szilvia AUERBACH HUN 1:27:32
9 Danijela BARAC SCG 1:33:48
10 Tatjana TRIFUNOV SCG 1:35:38
March 2005
Top
|