Ethiopia's Getachew Terfa Negari made a tenacious late burst to win the Xiamen International Marathon on Saturday, setting his personal best time and a course record.

The 30-year-old crossed the line in 2 hr, 7 min and 32 sec, chopping five seconds of the previous record of 2:07:37, set last year by Kenya's Peter Kamais. Negari beat his personal best by 9 sec.

Kenya's Paul Kipchumba Lonyangata finished second in 2:07:44, and another Ethiopian, Sahle Warga Betona, came third (2:08:39).

"I'm very happy about my performance today. The temperature (12-18 C) was ideal for a run," Negari said.

Admitting he struggled over the last 10 km due to the cold and the uphill part of route, Negari said he fought hard to maintain a fluent rhythm.

Ethiopia's Fatuma Sado Dergo claimed the women's title in 2:27:36. She was followed by Kenyan Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa (2:30:00) and compatriot Eyeusalem Kuma Mutal Mutal (2:34:31). China's Wang Xueqin finished fourth in in 2:34:56.

Negari and Dergo said they hoped to participate in next year's marathon. Negari, who has taken part in the annual event five times, said he always enjoys the city's scenery.

First held in 2003 and sanctioned in 2007 as a Gold Label Road Race by the International Association of Athletics Federations, the Xiamen International Marathon is known for its scenic course that runs through the coastal city.

This year's event included about 40 elite foreign runners and more than a dozen athletes with times under 2:10:00.

A record 73,856 runners from 45 countries took part in the event, which included the full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.0975 km), 10 km run and 5 km race.

Contact the writers at humendong@chinadaily.com.cn,

sunli@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/06/2013 page7)