Morrocan Othmane El Goumri wins Sydney marathon; Betsy Saina claims tight women’s race

By The Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) — Moroccan Othmane El Goumri and Kenyan-born American Betsy Saina have won the men’s and women’s races at an unseasonably warm Sydney Marathon. The 31-year-old El Goumri finished the hilly 42m kilometer (26-mile) course around prominent Sydney landmarks in 2:08:20. Kenya’s Laban Kipngetich Korir was second in a time of 2:08:43, with Ethiopian Getaneh Molla Tamire a further minute and a half behind in third. Saina, who attended Iowa State University and now represents the United States, finished in 2:26:47 and held off a late challenge from Ethiopian Rahma Tusa Chota to win the women’s race by six seconds. Gladys Chesir Kiptagelai of Kenya was third.