Sun Weiwei defended China's dominance in women's long-distance
running at the 2006 Beijing Marathon, as she claimed the title in
2:34:41 yesterday.
Kenya's James Kwambi Kipsang defeated his countryman, defending
champion James Moiben to win the men's event.
Sun stayed in the leading pack throughout the grueling 42.195
kilometer race starting from Tian'anmen Square and pulled away
after 29 kilometers to help China win the title for the 15th time
running.
"It is a hard race for me because I took part in a marathon race
early this month. I took Beijing Marathon as a training session and
it is a surprise that I won the title," said Sun, who won the
silver medal in Cologne Marathon on October 10.
Pamela Chepchumba from Kenya took the silver medal in 2:34:51
while Chen Rong, also from China, third at 2:34:57.
In men's race, Kipsang clocked 2:10:36 for the title, leaving
his compatriot David Kipkorir Mandago second in 2:10:46. Japanese
Takehisa Okino was third in 2:12:24.
Defending champion James Moiben ranked sixth in 2:14:07. "I
didn't have a good performance today, but I will be back next
year," said Moiben. "I want to take part in Beijing Olympics, so I have to be here to adapt
myself to Beijing."
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)
