Ndereba storms to Osaka triumph

Printable Version (29/01/2006)

Kenya's World and Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba has won the 2006 Osaka International Women's Marathon.

Ndereba, the 2003 World champion, four-time Boston Marathon winner and the second-fastest woman in history, came from behind to win in a time of 2:25:05.

Japanese Kayoko Obata finished second in 2:25:52 and compatriot Kiyoko Shimahara was third in 2:26:47.

The 32-year-old African record-holder (2:18:47 set in 2001), who was competing in her first full marathon in Japan, was not so bothered by not breaking the course record at the end of the race.

"I did not break the course record, but winning was more important. I can break the record next time," Ndereba said.