Chinese runners win in Seoul marathon race

Chinese runner Zhou Chunxiu won the women's race in the Seoul International Marathon in a time of two hours 23 minutes and 24 seconds on Sunday in Seoul.

Zhou's compatriot Wei Yanan finished second in 2:25:55 and the third place went to Helena Javornik from Slovenia, who was timed at 2:29:18.

"It is a bit chilly today. I couldn't run well in the first half but did better later," Zhou said after the race.

Zhou also took the top prize money of 40,000 US dollars.

Cold wave had hit South Korea recently. The highest temperature here on Sunday was only 3 degrees Celsius and it was windy.

William Kipsang of Kenya took first place in the men's race, in a time of 2:08:53.

Kipsang outpaced Gert Thys of South Africa in the 31st kilometer mark for a 3km stretch that saw the two run neck-and-neck. The Kenyan broke free for the finish line for the top honor. He collected the top prize of 80,000 dollars.

Thys finished second in 2:11:19, followed by Japanese Kunichika Tomoaki, who trailed by 13 seconds.