China's Wei the fastest female in Beijing Marathon

BEIJING - Kenyan runners dominated the men's race at the Beijing Marathon 2011 in windy conditions on Sunday while Wei Xiaojie of China won the women's race.

Competitors pass the Tian'anmen rostrum during the Beijing Marathon 2011 in Beijing, Oct 16, 2011. The 30-year-old annual event attracted more than 30,000 participants this year. Kenya's Francis Kiprop Kipkorir (2:19) and China's Wei Xiaojie (2:28:5) topped the men's and women's groups respectively. [Photo/Xinhua]

Kenya's Francis Kiprop Kipkorir, runner-up of the Berlin Marathon 2009, clocked two hours and nine minutes to finish the first.

Mugo Samuel Muturi, winner of the Beijing Marathon 2009, was the second at 2:09:43, while 2011 Prague Marathon champion Barus Benson Kipchumba took the third at 2:10:15.

"The wind was strong, but the result was quite good and I am very happy," said the 29-year-old Kipkorir. "I like the city very much."

Muturi also said he like Beijing very much. "It was my third time come to Beijing," he said. "Beijing is my lucky city and I hope I can come here to take part in marathon race next year."

China's Wei Xiaojie, 22, won the women's race at 2:28:05, while Tesemma Yeshi Esayias of Ethiopia finished second at 2:29:29. Two-time Olympic runner-up and two-time world champion Ndereba Win Catherine Nyar of Kenya was the third at 2:30:14.

"My coach told me before the race that the most important thing is to focus on myself and don't pay much attention to winning the medals," said Wei, who has taken part in Xiamen Marathon this year but didn't get good result. "I think I did it."

"I felt very tired in the last 5km but I managed to finish the race and win," she added. "I had expected to finish the race within 2:27:00, but I am still satisfied with my result."