The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : Tomescu runs away with women’s marathon gold

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Tomescu runs away with women’s marathon gold

Special Correspondent

BEIJING: Constantina Tomescu of Romania won the women’s marathon gold, unchallenged on the streets of Beijing, with a season’s best time of two hours, 26 minutes and 44 seconds.

The bronze medallist of the last World championship and a former World champion in half marathon, the 38-year-old Tomescu defied age and a strong field, to break away from the pack after 20 kilometres to eventually enter the stadium all alone for a convincing finish.

“I was pushing harder after 20 kilometres, and it surprised me that no one came with me. The last two kilometres, I just looked back and wanted to make sure no one was going to take my medal,” said Tomescu.

There was a fight for the silver. World champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya clinched it, as she beat Zhou Chunxiu of China by one second. The Chinese was, however, happy to win the host’s first athletics medal in Beijing with a season’s best 2:27:07.

“I never get disappointed. To have a silver medal in my second Olympics, I consider that fantastic,” said Ndereba.The Chinese said she was pleased with the medal. She tried to overtake Ndereba after they started running inside the stadium almost together, but the Kenyan proved too good in the end.

“Although I couldn’t catch Ndereba, I tried my best. I am really satisfied with the result. I just love running,” said Zhou Chunxiu. Defending champion Mizuki Noguchi of Japan pulled out of the race on Wednesday.

World record holder and former World champion Paula Radcliffe of Britain was 23rd, at 2:32:38.

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