/ 21 January 2007

Kenya’s Kelai wins Mumbai marathon

Kenya’s John Kelai won the Mumbai Marathon on Sunday as thousands of the city’s residents ran alongside top athletes from Africa and Australia.

Kelai clocked a time of two hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds to beat out Ethiopians Gashaw Melese with 2:12,32 and Tariku Jufar in 2:12,49.

China’s Feng Xia Yang won the women’s marathon with a time of 2:36,16, ahead of Ethiopia’s Letay Negash (2:37,04) and Kenya’s Jennifer Lingakwiang (2:38,14).

More than 550 athletes competed in the marathon, while more than 30 000 people ran in the half marathon and the popular 7km race.

Bollywood actors such as Manisha Koirala, Rahul Bose, Milind Soman and well-known industrialist Anil Ambani were among many celebrities who ran to raise money for charities. – Sapa-AP