'I just went for it'
Da Costa runs fastest marathon in history at Berlin
Posted: Sunday September 20, 1998 04:17 PM
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Ronaldo de Costa topped his career best by 45 seconds AP |
BERLIN (AP) -- Brazil's Ronaldo da Costa completed the fastest
marathon in history Sunday, snapping a 10-year-old mark by running
through the heart of Berlin in two hours, six minutes and 5
seconds.
The 28-year-old bettered the old world best held by Ethiopia's
Belayneh Densimo by 45 seconds while running at one of the world's
fastest courses on a cool sunny and windless morning.
Densimo had recorded a 2:06.50 on April 17, 1988 in Rotterdam,
The Netherlands.
”I wanted to run under 2:08, but when I saw how good the
conditions were I just went for it,” said da Costa.
Da Costa broke to the front of the pack at the halfway point,
then held off Josephat Kiiprono. The Kenyan also covered the 42.2
kilometers (26 miles) through a relatively flat route in a fast
time of 2:07.26.
Belgium's Marleen Renders captured the women's race in 2:25.22
for the third best time in the history of the Berlin Marathon.
The Berlin event has grown in size in recent years and with
28,000 runners at the start is now the third largest city marathon
behind London and New York.
Around 4,000 more participants lined up than last year for the
event, watched by an estimated one million spectators.
”We're not sure why there has been such an increase this year,
but its a welcome surprise,” said Stephane Franke, coordinator for
the athletes.
Berlin has attracted some of the world's top distance runners
because of its reputation for fast times. Kenya's Sammy Lelei had
clocked the second fastest mark in history of 2:07.02 at the event
three years ago.
Da Costa, who stems from the town of Descoberto 200 kilometer
(120 miles) north of Rio de Janiero, will earn US$200,000 for the
win.
But the Brazilian, who has been running since he was 17, is now
expected to command up to US$250,000 in appearance money at
future marathons after his world best.
”This will make him a millionaire,” said Luis Posso, Da
Costa's manager.
Da Costa broke the tape at the posh downtown shopping district
of Ku'damn, followed by three Kenyans coached by Gabriele Rosa,
whose athletes have captured a dozen top marathons in the past year
including Boston.
Behind Kirpono, Samson Kandie finished in 2:09.11, while Reuben
Chebutich was fourth in 2:10.39.
In the women's race, Kenya's Susann Chepkemei was second in
2:28.18 and a three-time winner of the event, Poland's Renata
Kokowska, followed in 2:31.53.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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