BEIJING: Close on the heels of the just ended eleventh Asian Games, Beijing is to host some 250 to 400 men and women runners from. 16 countries during the international marathon. The race from the workers stadium, which had been the venue of the Asiad opening and closing ceremonies. The runners will pass by Tiananmen ’square before returning to the stadium. Athletes from Australia, Denmark, Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Soviet Union, Tanzania, Ethiopia, France and China are to take part in the race. Of the nearly 400 entries received, 28 men have run under two hours and 12 minutes and 15 women under two hours and 31 minutes.
A spokeswoman for the marathon Organizers said that since the standard of the race is high, foreign runners should be able to do it in less than two hours and 15 minutes for men and two hours and 40 minutes for women.
Last year’s Beijing marathon was won by Denmark’s Peter Dall in 2:12.47 while North Korean Mun Gyong Ae Won the women’s section in 2:27.16. Last year was the first time women had taken part in the event.
Inaugurated in 1981, the annual Beijing race has been gaining prestige since Japan’s Kodama Taisuke recorded 2:07.35 in 1986, equaled by Ethiopian Abebe Nekonnen in 1988, the fourth best timing among international marathons.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 26, 1990
