China

Ethiopians win Xiamen Marathon

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-02 11:48

Athletes start off at the Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center at the Xiamen International Marathon in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Januanry 2, 2010. [Xinhua]

XIAMEN, Fujian province: Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa clocked 2 hours 8 minutes and 47 seconds to win the men's title of the 2010 Xiamen International Marathon here on Saturday. Negari Getachew Terfa and Mugo Samuel Muturl won the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa touches the finishing line during the 2010 Xiamen International Marathon in Xiamen, Fujian province Saturday, January 2, 2010. [Xinhua]

Ethiopia's Baysa Atsede clinched the women's title at the 2010 Xiamen International Marathon in 2 hours 28 minutes and 53 seconds here on Saturday. China's Sun Juan came second in 2:34:12, followed by compatriot Jin Lingling in 2:36:00.

Ethiopia's Baysa Atsede touches the finishing line during the 2010 Xiamen International Marathon in Xiamen, Fujian province, Saturday, January 2, 2010. [Xinhua]

The 2010 Xiamen International Marathon kicked off Saturday morning with a record of 48,000 runners contending for honors in full marathon, half marathon, 10-km and 5-km races.

Muturi won men's title last year at an event record of 2:08:51. But Muturi, also the winner of the 2009 Beijing Marathon, faced stiff challenge this year as 15 others in the men's group have a personal best of under 2:10:00, among whom Bazu Worku of Ethiopia is the fastest with 2:06:15.

After a clean sweep of top three in the women's race last year, China's dominance looked shaky this year due to the absence of a handful of elite runners, including reigning world champion Bai Xue.

The Xiamen International Marathon, which was launched in 2003 and hailed by IAAF as the Gold Label Road Race, is renowned for its charming seaside scenic course. The whole course follows largely the scenic sections of the coastal city.