Douglas Wakiihuri of Kenya, one of the...
Douglas Wakiihuri of Kenya, one of the world’s premier marathoners, proved he also can run well on grass and mud, cruising to victory in the world’s largest cross-country festival at Stockholm, Sweden.
Wakiihuri, the 1987 world marathon champion and a silver medalist in the 1988 Olympics, took the lead with 10 kilometers left and held on to win the 18.6-mile race by two minutes.
More than 25,000 runners, competing in 25 classes, entered the meet in cool, crisp weather on Lidingo Island outside Stockholm.
Wakiihuri was timed in 1 hour 36 minutes 10 seconds. Hakan Borjesson of Sweden finished second in 1:38:10 and countryman Mats Erixon was third.
Angela Tooby of Britain surged ahead with four kilometers left and won the women’s 15-kilometer race in 54:49. Malin Westlund of Sweden was second in 55:14 and Norwegians Christin Sorrum third in 56:09 and Grete Kirkeberg fourth in 56:54.
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