CHICAGO, Oct 9: Kenyan Felix Limo won the Chicago Marathon on Sunday in his debut appearance on the course, beating defending champion and compatriot Evans Rutto.

The 25-year-old Limo, who led a Kenyan clean sweep in a time of 2:07:04, won marathons in Rotterdam and Berlin in 2004.

Benjamin Maiyo was second in 2:07:11, three seconds ahead of Daniel Njenga. Rutto, who won the Chicago race in the last two years, was fourth in 2:07:30.

“This was a very tactical race,” Limo told reporters. “When I saw these guys were a little bit slow, I took the lead.”

American Deena Kastor, 32, an Olympic bronze medallist, won the women’s race, finishing in 2:21:24 for her first major marathon victory.

Defending champion Constantina Tomescu-Dita, of Romania, placed second, at 2:21:29, and Masako Chiba of Japan was third in 2:25:59.

Men’s results: 1. Felix Limo (Kenya) 2:07:04 2. Benjamin Maiyo (Kenya) 2:07:11 3. Daniel Njenga (Kenya) 2:07:14 4. Evans Rutto (Kenya) 2:07:30 5. Patrick Ivuti (Kenya) 2:07:46

Women’s results: 1. Deena Kastor (United States) 2:21:24 2. Constantina Tomescu (Romania) 2:21:29 3. Masako Chiba (Japan) 2:25:59.—Agencies