Russia’s Abitova wins Yokohama Women’s Marathon

Abitova wins Yokohama Women’s Marathon

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Russia’s Inga Abitova has won the inaugural Yokohama Women’s Marathon, a race that featured the top two finishers from the Beijing Olympics.

Abitova broke away from the pack at the 30-kilometer mark Sunday and finished in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 18 seconds. Japan’s Kiyoko Shimohara was second at 2:28:51, and Beijing Olympic silver medalist Catherine Ndereba of Kenya was third in 2:29:13.

Olympic champion Constantina Dita dropped out of contention early in the race and finished 11th.