Participants start at the Tiananmen Square during 2019 Beijing Marathon in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Kenyan runner Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio breaks the men's course record at the 2019 Beijing Marathon.
BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan runner Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio clocked two hours, seven minutes and six seconds to break the men's course record at the 2019 Beijing Marathon here on Sunday.
In a cool and comfortable weather, the 30-year-old Kisorio led alone in the last 10 kilometers of the 42.195km race and cut 10 seconds off the 2:07:16 course record that was set in 2013.
Solomon Kirwa Yego of Kenya finished second in 2:09:45, followed by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Rutto Naibei, who clocked 2:10:15.
Kenyan runner Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio wins the men's race in 2:07:06 at Beijing Marathon 2019 in Beijing on Nov. 3. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
"It's good weather," said the winner. "I'm happy to win and break the course record. I hope I will come here again and achieve better results."
Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede grabbed the women's title in 2:23:31. Local runner Li Zhixuan finished second in 2:29:06 while Mulu Seboka Seyfu of Ethiopia was third in 2:29:09.
Li was happy with her second-place finish. "It is my second Beijing Marathon. I didn't expect to finish second as my time was not good. I am not in my best shape," she said.
"I will work hard in the winter training spell to prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games," added the 25-year-old.
Participants start at the Tiananmen Square during 2019 Beijing Marathon in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Around 30,000 runners from home and abroad took part in this year's Beijing Marathon, which was launched in 1981. ■
