Elite Runners to Compete in Seoul Int’l Marathon

Elite runners will be among the 25,000 competitors expected at the 2008 Seoul International Marathon sponsored by the Dong-A Ilbo. The race is the country’s largest and most prestigious of its kind.

Among the competitors, 1,225 have times under three hours.

Buzinggo Donatien, 30, is expected to win the men’s race. The Burundi refugee broke the barrier of two hours, 20 minutes (2:18:39) last year to claim his second championship.

Korean Kim Yong-taek, 29, who set his country’s record of 2:22:54 in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon, and Kim Young-bok, 29, who won the Gyeongju International Marathon in October last year with 2:28:43, will challenge Donatien.

If the men have Donatien, the women have Lee Jeong-sook, 43. She has been on a rampage in recent races, and won last year’s Dong-A marathon for the second straight year with a time of 2:48:45. She will have competition from female runners in their 40s and 50s.

Moon Ki-sook, 46, who won four marathons between 2002 and 2005, will seek another title in the event. Her time of 2:47:52 is the best among Korean women masters. Elite runner Kim Jeong-ok, 54, is aiming for her first win in the marathon, having a best time of 2:52:25.

why@donga.com