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Shvetsov Defends Comrades TitleRussian Wins South African Ultra-Marathon by Over 13 MinutesFormer Olympic marathoner Leonid Shvetsov broke away early on Sunday June 15 to smash the Comrades Marathon course record.
Shvetsov left his persuers in his wake with 30km remaining to clinch his second successive title in the South African ultra-distance classic. The Russian, who placed 13th in the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon, finished the 87km race an incredible 13 minutes and 41 seconds ahead of Poland's Jaroslaw Janicki, breaking the course record by 44 seconds. The Comrades alternates in direction every year and Shvetsov had demolished a world-class field to clinch his maiden title in 2007, smashing the 21-year-old course record for the 'down' run held by South Africa's nine-times champion Bruce Fordyce. Shvetsov destroys world-class fieldThis year the race started in the coastal city of Durban, rising over 700m to the finish in Pietermaritzburg, and 39-year-old Shvetsov overcame hot conditions and the tough course to destroy another world-class field. For his efforts, the champion received R220 000 for the win and a further R250 000 for breaking the 'up' run course record. The tall, powerful Russian finished in five hours, 24 minutes and 49 seconds, breaking Vladimir Kotov's record for the 'up' run of 5:25.33 set in 2000. Janicki holds on for secondJanicki, who won the 'down' run in 1999, held on to finish second in 5:38,30, with Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi claiming third place in 5:39.41. Harmans Mokgadi was the first South African home in sixth place in 5:47.11. Former record holder Kotov, now a South African citizen, produced one of the most impressive performances on the day. The 50-year-old, who was fourth in the 1980 Olympic Marathon then representing the Soviet Union, placed ninth in 5:48.44. Elena Nurgalieva recovers to win women's raceIn the women's race, Elena Nurgalieva recovered from two falls early in the race, the first of which left a nasty graze on her knee, to claim her fourth Comrades Marathon title. Elena finished in 6:14.38, breaking away from her twin sister Olesya in the closing stages. Olesya, a former winner of the race, finished second in 6:15.53. Russian women filled the first five places and Riana van Niekerk was the first South African home in sixth place in 6:43,32. The annual Comrades Marathon is the oldest and largest ultra-distance running event in the world. This year the 83rd edition of the race attracted more than 11 000 runners from around the globe, with 87% of the field reaching the finish line before the 12-hour cut-off. Comrades Marathon resultsMen: 1. Leonid Shvetsov (Russia) 5:24.49 2. Jaroslaw Janicki (Poland) 5:38.30 3. Stephen Muzhingi (Zimbabwe) 5:39.41 4. Oleg Kharitonov (Russia) 5:42.05 5. Grigory Murzin (Russia) 5:43.08 6. Harmans Mokgadi (South Africa) 5:47.11 7. Mncedisi Mkhize (South Africa) 5:48.19 8. Valdimir Kotov (South Africa) 5:48.44 9. Johan Oosthuizen (South Africa) 5.50.54 10. Willie Mtolo (South Africa) 5:53.38 Women: 1. Elena Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:14.38 2. Olesya Nurgalieva (Russia) 6:15.53 3. Tatyana Zhirkova (Russia) 6:17.46 4. Marina Myshlyanova (Russia) 6:30.50 5. Marina Bychkova (Russia) 6:38.03 6. Riana van Niekerk (South Africa) 6:43.32 7. Maria Bak (Germany) 6:53.34 8. Farwa Mentoor (South Africa) 6:59.42 9. Lesley Train (South Africa) 7:02.10 10. Carol Mercer (South Africa) 7:09.38
The copyright of the article Shvetsov Defends Comrades Title in Olympic Track and Field is owned by Wesley Botton. Permission to republish Shvetsov Defends Comrades Title in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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