Japan's Fujita wins Beppu-Oita marathon
02-04-2007, 11h57
OITA, Japan (AFP)
Atsushi Fujita has beaten fellow Japanese runner Atsushi Sato to win the Beppu-Oita men's marathon -- posting his third victory in nine starts.
The 30-year-old Fujita took the outright lead shortly before the 38-kilometre (23.5-mile) mark ahead of Sato and David Kemboi of Kenya to cross the finishing line in 2:10:23.
Fujita, however, failed to meet the qualifying time for the world championships in Osaka in August.
Sato was second in 2:11:16, with Kemboi third in 2:11:26.
"I was surprised, because I hadn't expected to win today. It was difficult, because I was running against the wind in the latter half of the race," said Fujita.
The qualifying time for the world championships is 2:09:30.
AFP
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