HONG KONG, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Julius Maisei of Kenya took his first Hong Kong Marathon title here on Sunday while women's championship went to defender Misiker Demissie of Ethiopia.
Maisei finished with two hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds to take his first title in Hong Kong after previous two appearances, including the second place finish in last year's edition.
"It is a great honor for me to win my first Hong Kong Marathon champion," said Maisei. "The wind is a little bit big today, which makes the match more difficult."
Maisei's compatriot James Kariuki Mbugua improved from last year's third place to take a silver medal with the result of two hours, 14 minutes and 28 seconds, while the bronze medal went to Ethiopia's Deribe Robi, who is nine seconds later.
Ethiopian runners dominated in the women's event by wrapping the first three places. Demissie finished with two hours, 30 minutes and 49 seconds to defend her champion title. Makda Harun and Shitaye Gemechu respectively took the second and third place.
Bat-Ochir Ser-Od of Mongolia became the newly-crowned Asian champion by winning the 14th Asian Marathon Championships with two hours, 17 minutes and 56 seconds, while the women's title went to DPR Korean runner Kim Kum-Ok, who was also gold medalist in 2006 and 2008.
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