GOLD COAST Kenyan Fred Kiprop, running alone for the last seven kilometers, won the Gold Coast marathon in Queensland on Sunday. Kiprop, 24, won in two hours 11 minutes 15 seconds, ahead of fellow Kenyan Sammy Lelei in 2:15.54. Australia's Greg Lyons was third in 2:17.09. The women's marathon was won by Jane Salumae, 30, of Estonia in a time of 2:33.43.

More than 2,000 competitors took part in the event, battling strong winds for much of the race. Kiprop's time was well outside Australian Robert de Castella's Australian all-comers' record of 2:09.18. I was hoping to get the record but I didn't make it because of the wind, said Kiprop. Salumae, who ran the race alone, beat Australians Lisa Dick, who clocked 2:36.4 in her first marathon, and Sylvia Rose 2:39.29.

(Reuter)