Marela Gonzalez of Cuba won the gold medal of the women's marathon race at the 15th Pan Am Games here on Sunday.
It was the first gold medal from major international races for the 34-year-old Cuban, who also finished runner-up four years ago at the 14th Pan Am Games held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Gonzalez clocked a winning time of two hours 43 minutes and 11 seconds for the title, followed by Marcia Narloch of Brazil in the second place at 2:45:10. The bronze medal was taken by another Brazilian Sirlene Pinho at 2:47:36.
Only eight of the 12-runner field finished the race due to high temperature.
"This is the greatest achievement of my career. It's been such a hard event, especially because of the hot weather," said Gonzalez.
"Temperature has been one of my opponents. But I cound overtake the Brazilian runner Sirlene Pinho after 31 kilometers and then I kept the pace to win the gold. It's not been easy. Now, it's time to celebrate."
Gonzalez also enters the women's 5,000m in the Pan Am Games athletics tournament, which begins on Monday.
Source: Xinhua
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