Run with `Hope 2002`

`Running through a new spring and Seoul.`

The Dong-A Marathon, the living history of Korean marathon, became a world-class elite marathon race and a big party for marathon maniacs, both in name and reality.

As an international race, 99 marathoners from 30 nations and 12,075 amateur runners were participating for a full-course running. Moreover, the race was very meaningful with the `citizens` spirit` that wishes the successful hosting of the 2002 World Cup games.

The 2002 Dong-A Seoul International Marathon & the 73rd Dong-A Marathon (hosted by Dong-A Ilbo, Korea Amateur Athletic Federation, and Dong-A Marathon Foundation For Children) were held on a 42.195 km full-course, from the Sejong Cultural Center at Gwanghwamoon, Seoul, to Jamsil Main Stadium, at 10 a.m., March 17th.

The race was finished as a party for Korea, Japan, and China, entries for the 2002 World Cup games. A Japanese marathoner won the male division, and a Chinese runner became the women`s winner. Young Korean marathoners have proved their possibilities in both divisions.

In the male division, Fujita Assushi (25, Fuzissu), who holds the Asian marathon record (2:6:51), won in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 22 seconds, and Kamel Jiani Huasisi (30, Spain) was next in 2:11:42. Lim Jin-Soo (24, Kolon) was third in 2:12:41, which is 4 seconds faster than his best record, and emerged as a promised marathoner for Korean marathon.

In the female division, Chinese Wei Yanan (21, a second lieutenant of the People`s Liberation Army) got women`s title in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 6 seconds, the best female record for Korean-hosted marathon races and the third record for this year`s international female marathon races.

Although Oh Mi-Ja (31, Iksan City, 2:33:13), a Korean veteran female marathoner, was second, she failed to set a new Korean record. A rookie Jung Yoon-Hee (19, Urban Development Corporation, 2:33:22), who challenged the full-course race for the first time, finished the race as third by 9 seconds behind of Oh Mi-Ja and demonstrated her potentiality.

Due to the strong winds at the speeds of 4.3-4.6 meters per second, the runners concentrated on a ranking competition rather than a record breaking. Thus, there was no new record.

Meanwhile, in the masters` race for the amateur marathoners, Jung Gwanggeun (35, Wea Company, 2:30:42) defended his last year`s title, and Moon Kisook (45, housewife, 2:53:32) won women`s race.