Nairobi, Kenya - Kenyans swept the top three titles in the men's event at the 2011 Beijing marathon on Sunday. Francis Kipkorir, Mugo Muturi and Barus Kipchumba placed first, second and third respectively.

Kipkorir won the race in two hours and nine minutes in windy conditions, despite a weather forecast that promises a near perfect marathon weather.

Muturi, who won the race in 2009, clocked two hours, 9 minutes and 43 seconds to place second, ahead of Kipchumba who was third in two hours, 10 minutes and 15 seconds.

Last year's men's winner, Ethiopian Siraj Amda Bene, did not participate in the 2011 race.

The Beijing International Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Race - running competitions that have been recognised by athletics world governing body as being among the foremost competitions of their type.

In the women's event, one of the best, all time runners in women's marathon, Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, could only manage a third place finish (2:30:14) behind second-placed Tesemma Esayias of Ethiopia (2:29:29) and winner Wei Xiaojie of China (2:28:05).

Pana 16/10/2011