‘Persistent’ Marathoner Stages Successful Comeback

Kim Yi-yong yesterday proved himself one of the nation’s elite runners again at the 79th Dong-A Marathon, which took place also as the 2008 Seoul International Marathon.

Nicknamed “persistent,” Kim finished the course in two hours, 11 minutes and 14 seconds to place first among Korean male competitors.

The event also functioned as screening criteria for those wishing to run in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Thus Kim will run in the Olympics for the first time since the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

He had emerged as a star by winning the 1998 Dong-A International Marathon. Since then, however, he has changed his team five times and sustained multiple injuries. Most experts said he could not come back, but his win yesterday signaled his rejuvenated career.

Defending champion Lee Bong-ju finished eighth with a time of two hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds.

Kenyan male runners swept the first six spots, with Sammy Korir finishing first at two hours, seven minutes and 32 seconds, the second-fastest time in a Korean marathon. Second place went to Jason Mbote and third to Edwin Komen.

In 2004, Gert Thys of South Africa and William Kipsang of Kenya set the mark of two hours, seven minutes in Korea.

For the women, the winner was Zhang Shu Jing of China. She regained her title by finishing in two hours, 26 minutes and 11 seconds.

This year’s race attracted 25,007 master marathoners.