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)