Run for Hope in Spring Rain

Ji Young-jun (22. Kolon) has risen as a New Star of Korean Men`s Marathon succeeding Lee Bong-joo (33. Samsung Electronics).

Gert Thys (32) of South Africa won the 2003 Donga Seoul International Marathon and the 74th Donga Marathon (co-hosted by the Dong-A Ilbo, Korea Athletics Federation, and the Donga Marathon Hopeful Foundation) Men`s Division held at the 42.195km full course starting in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, Seoul and finishing at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium with a record of 2h8m42s after a close race at the end with Ji Young-jun.

The record of Ji Young-jun, who marked the second place by one second, is the third best in Korea following the record of 2h8m26s by Lee Bong-joo set in the Donga Marathon in 1996 and 2h8m34s record set by Kim Wan-ki also in the Donga Marathon in 1994.

In women`s division, Jiang Suzing of China (24) won with the record of 2h23m18s, which is the best record of the event. With that, China won two consecutive championships following the win by Weiyanan last year. The second place winner of the women`s division was Worknesy Tola (23. 2h25m42s) from Ethiopia. As a Korean player, Choi Gyong-hui (22. Gyeonggi Provincial Office) got the third place with the record of 2h30m57s.

In the Masters` Race men`s division, in which the amateur marathoners participated, Mr. Kim Hyong-rak (40. Changwon Marathon Club) won with the best record of the event, 2h25m34s, and in the women`s division, Mrs. Mun Gi-suk (45. Homemaker) won the second consecutive championships since last year with the record of 2h50m2s.

In this event, 113 athletes from 13 countries and 8,195 amateur marathoners participated, and around 3,600 police officers and 600 volunteers helped the management of the event.

mars@donga.com