The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Kelai, Yang emerge triumphant

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Monday, Jan 22, 2007
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Kelai, Yang emerge triumphant

Nandakumar Marar

Madhuri Gurnule wins women's half marathon

A WIN TO CHERISH: China's Yang Ziao Shu claimed the honours in the women's marathon. — Photo: Vivek Bendre

MUMBAI: China's Yang Ziao Shu produced an astonishing burst eight kilometers from the finish to shatter the African monopoly in the women's section of the Standard Chartered Mumbai International Marathon 2007, here on Sunday.

Running for the second time outside China, the 18-year-old emerged from nowhere to win the women's race in two hours, 36 minutes and 17 seconds. Ethiopia's Letay Negash and Kenya's Jennifer Chesinon finished second and third respectively. The champion earned $25,000.

"The strong lady came from behind to overtake us. From then on, it was a fight to keep going," said Jennifer, about Yang, who expressed her thoughts via an interpreter, revealing a confident state of mind after the 38km mark.

Close race

Kenya's John Kelai pipped Ethiopian Gashaw Melese Asfaw to triumph in the men's marathon. Kelai somehow found the energy to carry his legs over the finish line in 2:12:28, just seconds ahead of Asfaw (2:12:33) for the winner's purse of $31,500.

Tariku Jufar, also from Ethiopia, staggered to finish third (2:12:50) after breathing down the leader's neck for a major part of the run, held along the Mumbai seafront.

Leelamma Alphonso and Ram Singh Yadav were the best Indian performers over the full course, both 16th in standings and clocking personal best timings competing against elite athletes from Africa.

The Western Railway runner was timed at 2:59:49 in the women's section, while the Army athlete completed the event in 2:20:34. Both finished ahead of many foreign runners.

The two in-form Indians stand a chance of running in the Lausanne Marathon, courtesy official clothier Switcher's lending a hand to talented local runners.

"A muscle pull after 32kms slowed me down, otherwise the timing would have been better. One day an Indian will win," said Ram, running the second marathon of his career.

India's Madhuri Gurnule, who won the women's half marathon, is a beneficiary of the Lausanne marathon experience. She was taken to Switzerland in 2005 after finishing second behind Kenyan legend Tegla Loroupe, struggled on the alpine course but overcame the awe of foreign competitors.

Dominating

Back on the Mumbai roads, she dominated from start to finish with closest rival Switzerland's Fabiola Oppliger (1:26:44) almost seven minutes behind.

"I ran against the men after finding no women runner to push me," said the LIC employee. Deep Chand won the men's half-marathon with a timing of 1:08:03.

The results: Women's marathon: 1. Yang Ziao Shu (Chn) 2:36:17, 2. Letay Negash (Eth) 2: 37:05, 3. Jennifer Chesinon (Ken) 2:38:14. India's best: 1. Leelamma Alphonso (2:59:49) 16th.

Men's marathon: 1. John Kelai (Ken) 2:12:28, 2. Gashaw Melese Asfaw (Eth) 2:12:33; 3. Tariku Jufar (Eth) 2:12:50. India's best: 1. Ram Singh Yadav (2:20:34) 16th.

Women's half-marathon: 1. Madhuri Gurnule (Ind) 1:19:54, 2. Fabiola Oppliger (Swi) 1:26:44, 3. Bhagwati (Ind) 1:27:49.

Men's half-marathon: 1. Deep Chand (Ind) 1:08:03, 2. Bhairav Singh Lone (Ind) 1:08:25, 3. Sachin Sonawane (Ind) 1:08:27.

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