Kenyan runner Kisorio wins Beijing Marathon

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Some 30,000 runners compete in the 2019 CFLD Beijing Marathon race held on Nov. 3, 2019. As has become traditional, runners in cosplay costumes were among the vast array of ordinary runners, diverting much of the limelight away from the elite professional athletes. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Kenyan runner Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio clocked two hours, seven minutes and six seconds to break the men's course record at the 2019 Beijing Marathon on Sunday.

In a cool and comfortable weather, the 30-year-old Kisorio led alone in the last 10 kilometers of the 42.195km race and cut 10 seconds off the 2:07:16 course record that was set in 2013.

Solomon Kirwa Yego of Kenya finished second in 2:09:45, followed by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Rutto Naibei, who clocked 2:10:15.

"It's good weather," said the winner. "I'm happy to win and break the course record. I hope I will come here again and achieve better results."

Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede grabbed the women's title in 2:23:31. Local runner Li Zhixuan finished second in 2:29:06 while Mulu Seboka Seyfu of Ethiopia was third in 2:29:09.

Li was happy with her second-place finish. "It is my second Beijing Marathon. I didn't expect to finish second as my time was not good. I am not in my best shape," she said.

"I will work hard in the winter training spell to prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games," added the 25-year-old.

Around 30,000 runners from home and abroad took part in this year's Beijing Marathon, which was launched in 1981.

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