Top > Sport > 2006 > April > 2006-04-24

Kastor Wins London Marathon

Deena Kastor won the London Marathon on Sunday breaking her own American record in the process. Kastor timed 2 hours, 19 minutes, 35 seconds to beat second-placed Lyudmila Petrova of Russia and third-placed Susan Chepkemei of Kenya in cool, drizzly conditions in the British capital. The men`s race was won by Felix Limo who out-ran defending champion Martin Lel.

The 33-year-old Kastor is only the eighth woman to run under 2:20. "It was one of my expectations as my training has been going so well," Kastor said. "I did want to run faster but I wasn`t feeling it early on. I managed to hold on to go under 2:20 which was my main goal." London was Kastor`s second marathon win. She won last year`s Chicago Marathon and was third at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

In the men`s race, Limo and Lel ran side by side for the final 1.2 miles before Limo made a break with the finishing line in sight. Limo finished in 2:06:39. "I had to use my brain to win that race," Limo said. "I felt good although the conditions were not great. But when the conditions are not perfect, you have to use your brain as well as your legs."