Agency Reports
3 December 2000 – Milan - Simon Biwott of Kenya won the first ever Milan men's marathon Sunday, posting a time of 2hrs 09min 00sec.
Italy's Roberto Barbi finished second in 2:12:04 while Brazil's Elias Bastos came third in 2:12:08.
Italy went one better in the women's race where Lucilla Andreucci won for the host nation with Hungary's Judith Nagy second and Vilma Guerra of Ecuador completing the podium.
Biwott reaped the benefit of a team effort by the Kenyan men with Philip Tanui and Julius Ruto, who finished just out of the placings, giving him the springboard to launch his breakaway.
In the end Biwott finished three minutes ahead of the rest of the field in driving rain.
"This was one of my best performances," said Biwott. "I am very satisfied with my run in such rain. It was excellent."
Barbi delighed the home crown by passing Bastos in the closing metres in the Piazza Del Duomo before crossing the line in the shadow of Milan's famous Gothic Cathedral.
But there was better to come for the home supporters with Andreucci dominating the women's race, using many of the male competitors as support during the race.
Andreucci posted an official time of 2:29:43 and finished five minutes ahead of Nagy and seven and a half minutes in front of Guerra.
Men
1. Simon Biwott, Kenya, 2 hours, 9 minutes, 0 seconds.
2. Roberto Barbi, Italy, 2:12:04.
3. Elias Bastos, Brazil, 2:12:08.
4. Philip Tanui, Kenya, 2:12:46.
5. Julius Ruto, Kenya, 2:13:14.
6. Fabio Rinaldi, Italy, 2:13:23.
Women
1. Lucilla Andreucci, Italy, 2:29:43.
2. Judith Nagy, Hungary, 2:34:42.
3. Vilma Guerra, Ecuador, 2:38:15.
4. Krystyna Kuta, Poland, 2:41:08.
5. Kulli Kaljus, Estonia, 2:43:20.
6. Agnes Jakab, Hungary, 2:44:52.
