McCann wins second women's marathon

MELBOURNE, Mar 19 (Reuters) Australian Kerryn McCann successfully defended her Commonwealth Games women's marathon gold medal after a gut-wrenching battle with Kenyan Hellen Cherono today.

McCann, winner in Manchester four years ago, appeared to have kicked clear of the pack after 40 km but the courageous Kenyan fought back and the pair staged an extraordinary battle within sight of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 38-year-old Australian was spurred on by deafening cheers from her home crowd but Cherono, winner of the 2004 Singapore marathon, refused to yield and the lead changed hands nine times in a lung-busting finale.

McCann finally kicked clear over the final 200 metres to win in two hours 30 minutes 54 seconds, barely two seconds ahead of Cherono.

REUTERS VJ RAI0718