Darren Benson wins battle of former champions
Winner of the 2010 China Coast Marathon stepped up the pace at the 20km mark
Two former champions battled for supremacy in the 32nd staging of the Gammon China Coast Marathon yesterday, but 2010 winner Darren Benson took home the victor’s spoils in the Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong-organised event.
The Australian athlete found himself on the start line with three-time champion Gunnar Rethfeldt, and the pair, along with the leading half marathon runners, set a speedy pace over the scenic, but challenging course that winds its way through Sai Kung Country Park and turns back at the Hong Kong Geopark.
Benson increased the pace at the 20km mark.
The only positive thing about this was the fact we would have a tail wind on the final 10-kilometres back to the finish
“When we got to the Geopark we met a very cold and very strong headwind,” said 39-year-old Benson, who works in the commercial property business.
“The only positive thing about this was the fact we would have a tail wind on the final 10-kilometres back to the finish.
“I haven’t done much road running recently as I have concentrated on trail events. As such I decided not to step up the pace until the second half.”
Benson crossed the finish line in two hours 48 minutes and 10 seconds for victory while Rethfeldt coasted home for second in 2:51:11.