| The searing (32°C) heat ensured that this was the slowest ever women’s World Championship marathon, with Ndereba running seven minutes outside her winning time of 2003. The halfway point was reached in 76:33 with almost half the 66-strong field still in contact. The pace increased slightly, and the 5Km section from 35Km to 40Km was the fastest of the race, taking 17:05 (2:24 pace), with Zhou, Zhu and Ndereba level, and Tosa two seconds behind. Ndereba then drew away from Zhou, to become the first woman to regain a world marathon title, while Zhu quickly lost ground, leaving Tosa to claim the bronze medal and gain automatic Olympic selection for Japan. “If I had been able to run naked I would have,” set the winner in reference to the conditions. Kenya won the World Cup title, although Japan had been in the lead until Hara fell back to 16th place. The 2005 champion Radcliffe was not recovered after having given birth in January |
