Irinia Alexandrova Wins Philly Marathon

The Russian was confident she was the fastest runner going into the race.

Thirty-three-year-old Irina Alexandrova of Russia was the first runner to cross the finish line at the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday. Her winning time was 2:39:06.

Alexandrova, who trains in Kentucky, was 11th in the Philadelphia Half Marathon last year.

“She [Alexandrova] is in much better shape this year,” said her agent, Larisa Mikhaylova, who contends that the Russian’s speed work has paid off. “Nobody was really coaching her last year. This year she’s being coached.”

“I was confident I could win today,” Aleandrova said afterwards. She says she will now return to Russia to rest and that her season is over.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Abebe Mekuriya won the men’s race, breaking the tape in 2:17:35.

“At 16 miles, I was confident [about winning the marathon],” Mekuriya said through a translator. He ended up making the decisive move at mile 18 with a surge that none of his competitors could counter.

For More: Running USA