News
Fearnley defends title in Chicago Marathon
Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley has dominated a strong field to defend his Chicago marathon title.
Fearnley finished in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes 16 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of his nearest rival Masazumi Soejima of Japan, with Krige Schabort of South Africa a further four minutes behind.
The win comes just four weeks since Fearnley defended his marathon Gold medal in the Beijing Paralympic games.
Fearnley and Soejima cleared away from the pack early in the race and by the 25km mark had opened up a two and a half minute gap on the rest of the field. The Australian broke the Japanese athlete over the next five kilometres, pushing strongly to put a two minute break between first and second. He maintained the lead to take his fourth marathon title of 2008.
A tired Fearnley was happy with the result.
"That was hard work out there today. Soejima is such a strong racer and I couldn't drop him. He was one of the strongest in Beijing and unlucky to finish out of the medals, so I knew he'd be there or thereabouts today" Fearnley said.
"This year was all about Beijing with any other results a bonus. To finish ahead here is really pleasing as I wasn't sure how I'd pull up after the games" he added.
Fearnley's attention now turns to New York in three weeks time, where he will attempt to finish his year with a third straight New York marathon title.
"It's been a great year so far. New York's my favourite race and another win there would really put the icing on the cake".
Fearnley will face the second strongest field of the year in New York, with the Paralympic marathon the only one deeper. Fierce rival David Weir of the United Kingdom will be there, as well as the other medallists from Beijing, Ernst van Dyk of South Africa and Sasahara Hiroki of Japan.
Thanks to Michael Turner
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletters to keep up to date with Athletics in Australia.
More Headlines
