German Maisch wins women's marathon

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug 12 (Reuters) German Ulrike Maisch won the women's marathon at the European championships today, setting a personal best of two hours 30 minutes one second.

''I am so surprised, I could never believe this. Not even in my dreams,'' said the 29-year-old, who ran through light rain in the race to triumph for the first time in an international championship.

Serbian Olivera Jevtic, who produced the best European finish at the 2004 Olympics in Athens with a sixth place, had to settle for second, 26 seconds behind Maisch. Russian Irina Permitina was third, another 26 seconds away.

REUTERS PDS PM1852