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Zhou claims third straight Xiamen Marathon title
China's Zhou Chunxiu claimed her third straight title at the 2005 C&D Xiamen International Marathon on Saturday, winning the women's race in 2:29:58. Zhou's victory led a Chinese sweep of the women's medals, with Sun Weiwei and Zhang Shujing finishing second and third in 2:31:11 and 2:31:57 respectively.
In the men's race it was the Africans who dominated with Kenya's Raymond Kipkoech winning in 2:09:49. Ethiopians Shimelis Mola Haile and Tekeste Kebede followed him home in 2:10:51 and 2:12:03. Earlier this month China's victorious Zhou, 26, from Jiangsu Province, ran to victory in the Seoul International Marathon, but overcame tiredness from the March 13 event in Korea to comfortably win Saturday's 42.195km-race on home soil . "I want to say thank you to all the spectators who cheered me along the route," Zhou said afterwards. "Xiamen is a lucky place for me as I have won all three races here. Although I'm very tired after the Seoul marathon, I told myself to persist and I succeeded." In contrast to the women's race, the men's competition was a closely fought affair. Taking to the front from the gun, Kipkoech and Kebede were neck-and-neck over the first 35km. But Kipkoech, who holds the fastest personal best of all the competitors, showed his strength to pull away over the final few kilometers, crossing the finish line 62 seconds ahead of his Ethiopian rival. With most runners from the leading group retiring during the latter stage, Haile worked his way up through the placings, eventually taking bronze. Men's champion Kipkoech, 26, said: "Before the race started I was aiming for a podium finish. I felt very comfortable during the race and I'm very satisfied with the result." The highest finishing Chinese athlete in the men's race was Li Jianfei from Yunnan provincial track and field team. He came sixth in a time of 2:14:56. Two title favorites, defending champion James Moiben from Kenya and China's Li Zhuhong, who took silver in last year's event, both finished outside the top eight. Serving as China's National Marathon Championships, the event was also the qualifying competition for the Tenth National Games, to be held in October in Nanjing. The top 16 Chinese runners in the competition qualified to compete in the October competition . The most beautiful event As well as for fierce competition , the Xiamen International Marathon, which has been held three times since 2003, is also internationally recognized for the beauty of its course. Starting from the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Centre, which faces Jinmen Island, athletes then race along the tree-lined Island Ring Road taking in Xiamen University, Nanputuo Temple and eight other scenic spots. Despite the cloudy weather, runners were still able to enjoy the scenery. "It is the most beautiful route that I have ever run," said winner Zhou. "I felt very good while running along the road."
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