Russian veteran Mariya Konovalova won the Nagoya Women’s Marathon Sunday in two hours, 23 minutes and 43 seconds, while defending champion Ryoko Kizaki came in third.
Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia finished second in 2:24:07, followed by Kizaki on 2:25:26.
Konovalova, 39, commanded the race from the start as her Japanese rivals attempted to keep up, along with Prokopcuka and Ashete Dido of Ethiopia.
Konovalova and Prokopcuka picked up their speed after 30 kilometres to leave their rivals behind.
But the Russian, third finisher in last year’s Chicago marathon, remained in control, and went on to a solo run in the final stage of the race.
“I am happy I won. I am becoming older, but I have not lost any of my mental strength. That strength pushed me during the race,” she said through a translator.
“I know how much strength to use while running a marathon race. I was able to use all of my strength” to win in Nagoya, she said.
Results:
1. Mariya Konovalova (RUS) 2:23:43
2. Jelena Prokopcuka (LAT) 2:24:07
3. Ryoko Kizaki (JPN) 2:25:26
4. Eri Hayakawa (JPN) 2:25:31
5. Tomomi Tanaka (JPN) 2:26:05
6. Agnes Kiprop (KEN) 2:27:51
7. Misato Horie (JPN) 2:27:57
8. Asami Kato (JPN) 2:29:08