Liliya Yadzhak wins the 2008 Siberian Marathon (© Freelance)
On a sunny warm morning with 18C at the start Andrey Bryzgalov and Liliya Yadzhak, both from the Russian city Cheliabinsk, left their rivals behind and claimed respective top overall men’s and women’s titles of the 19th Toyota Siberian International Marathon finishing in 2:15.29 and 2:33:41.
The marathon is annually held in the large and beautiful Russian city of Omsk, situated on the bank of the powerful Irtysh River in South-Western Siberia, beyond the Ural Mountains. The course records belong to Eduard Tukhbatullin – 2:13:02 (1993) and Albina Ivanova – 2:30:21 (2002).
From the start line Rik Ceulemans, 2003 Belgium national half marathon champion, led the pack. He threw in tentative surges running a solo first 5 kilometres, but when no takers went along, he receded back into pack.
The pack stayed closely together for the next 20km of the course laid along Irtysh river embankment. By the 30th kilometre Andrey Bryzgalov and Ukrainian Yevgeniy Bozhko outran the contenders and the two men raced at the front for the for next six kilometres, until Bryzgalov gradually moved to the front and led the race having the runner-up behind, ready to attack.
In the last 300m Bruzgalov threw the final surge and sprinted to the finish line to capture the overall men’s title and a Toyota Yaris. Bozhko fell 20 seconds behind and crossed in 2:15:49. Ceulemans came third in 2:28:13.
“I was planning this result and thought of getting into the first six finishers, because I expected the others to run faster,” said the winner. When asked what he will do with the new car, he said: “I shall drive it, and sell my old one!”
The winner of the women’s race Liliya Yadzhak ran behind the leading pack until the 30th kilometre. Then she increased her pace and took the lead together with Tatyana Pushkareva for the next 10km.
Two kilometres from the finish line she closed on Pushkareva and made a bold surge to the finish to claim the women’s title and a Toyota Camry. Pushkareva had to hustle just to contend and finished clocking 2:34:55.
“I came with the strong wish to win, but knowing my rivals, I had some doubts in my victory,” said Yadzhak. “Only at 40km I felt like having a chance to win, but I did not relax, telling myself that I can be sure only when I cross the finish line”
Almost 16,000 runners from 15 countries participated in this year’s marathon and satellite events.
Sergey Porada and Yelena Kurdyumova for the IAAF
Results
Men
1. Andrey Bryzgalov RUS 2:15:29
2. Yevgeniy Bozhko UKR 2:15:49
3. Rik Ceulemans BEL 2:18:13
Women
1. Liliya Yadzhak RUS 2:33:41
2. Tatyana Pushkareva RUS 2:34:55
3. Iraida Pudovkina RUS 2:37:19
