Swedish ace Said shocks Kenyans to win Pune Intnl Marathon

Pune, Nov 26 (UNI) Little-known Said Regragoui of Sweden spoilt the party of the awesome Kenyans by winning the gruelling 42.195 km men's race by clocking 2:18:23 while Hellen Nzembi Musyoka brought some cheer to the Kenyans by claiming top honours in the women's race in the 21st Pune International Marathon which concluded at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadim here today.

Overcoming a challenging field and the hot and humid climate, Said ran a well calculated race making his moves at the right time to outwit the might of the Kenyans, the Tanzanians and the Ethopians to claim top honours with his debut at the mega event in Pune.

Said, however, emulated the feat of Tommy Pesson (2:24:15), the winner of the inaugural event way back in 1983, which fetched him a fat cheque of Rs three lakh and a glittering trophy.

Said's gutsy effort was all the more creditable as he got the better of three past winners of the mega event -- defending champion Josephat Ndeti, 2002 winner Ambrose Makau and 2004 champion Douglas Gwandaru. None of them finished in the top ten positions.

Oswald Reverian Kuhuruzi of Tanzania (2:19:46) and Abebe Seyoum of Ethopia (2:20:17) were placed second and third respectively.

Oswald was awarded a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh while Abebe received Rs 75,000 in the prize money The women's half distance of 21 km race was totally dominated by the Kenyans who pushed back stiff opposition to keep their flag flying. The pint-sized Hellen Nzembi made a brave effort, coming from behind, to get the better of her country-mate Cathy Mutwa to claim the honours by clocking (1:13:20). Cathy Mutwa (1 :31:31) and Pauline Mutwa Thitu (1:15:09) had a podium finish of second and third.

Hellen was richer by Rs 1.5 lakhs and a trophy as well. Cathy received Rs one lakh and Pauline got Rs 75,000 for their efforts.

Considering a very competitive field, K C Ramu of the Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune did the Indians proud by finishing first among the Indians and 13th overall with a time of 2:29:03. On the other hand, gritty Madhuri Gurnule posted a hat-trick winning the womens event for the third time among the Indians. She completed the race way behind at the eighth place with in a time of 1:20:31.

She had won the 2004 and 2005 editions as well.

Both Ramu and Gurnule received a cheque of Rs one lakh each for being the first among Indians in their sections.

The total prize money was raised to Rs 20 lakhs from Rs 15 lakhs offered till last year.

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