Fending strong northerly winds on a chilly morning, Polish distance runner Adam Dobrzynski confidently won yesterday's Macau Galaxy Resort International Marathon.
'I feel very good,' said the 30-year-old Pole, clutching his trophy and two cheques totalling US$13,000. 'The Kenyan was very strong. But after 39km I started to run faster and I knew I was going to win.' Contenders saved their energy in the first half of the 42.195km race, with competition tightening in the second half.
The next to dart across the finish line was a surprised Chempkwony Wilson from Kenya. The distance runner's personal best was two hours and 15 minutes at the Chicago Marathon in October. Yesterday, he trailed in one minute behind the winner.
Complaining of muscle pain in his thighs but glowing with joy, Mr Wilson said before the race he was worried about Macau's humidity, but it turned out to be windy and dry. 'The course was arduous and quite hilly,' he added.
Last year's champion from Zimbabwe, Kasirai Sita, and North Korean athlete Ri Gyong-chol both struggled for the bronze medal, with Sita crossing the finish line in 2:19:14, just 31 seconds before Ri.
In the women's category, Chinese runners swept the top two honours. Tai Inin finished in 2:37:27, pocketing US$5,000 as winner and another US$1,500 for completing the course in less than two hours and 40 minutes.
