TOKYO, Nov 17: Unheralded Banuelia Mrashani of Tanzania shook off a late challenge from local hero Rie Matsuoka to win the Tokyo international women’s marathon by just two seconds Sunday.
Mrashani narrowly won a shoulder-to-shoulder battle against Matsuoka in the last seven kilometres to clock two hours 24 minutes 59 seconds, breaking her own personal best of 2:29:53.
Matsuoka, who briefly took a 10-metre lead ahead of Mrashani after the 40-kilometre mark, closely trailed the Tanzanian all the way to the finish line but had to be satisfied with runner-up place in 2:25:02.—AFP