Balciunaite of Lithuania wins women’s marathon at Europeans; Ottey makes history at 50

Balciunaite wins women’s marathon at Europeans

BARCELONA, Spain — Zivile Balciunaite of Lithuania won the women’s marathon at the European Championships on Saturday, and 50-year-old Merlene Ottey became the oldest athlete to compete at the event when she ran in the 400 relay.

Balciunaite went around the streets of Barcelona in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 14 seconds to earn her first major triumph. Nailya Yulamanova of Russia won silver in 2:32:15, and Anna Incerti of Italy took bronze in 2:32:48.

Ottey, a naturalized Slovenian of Jamaican origin, surpassed the age record held by 47-year-old French marathon runner Nicole Brakebusch-Leveque.

“It’s right up there with all the medals I have won,” said Ottey, who has won 29 medals in major competitions, including seven Olympic Games, starting at Moscow in 1980. “It didn’t cross my mind (at 40) that I would still be running now. I thought I would retire.”

Ottey returned to Barcelona’s Olympic stadium, where she won bronze at the 1992 Olympics, but Slovenia failed to get out of the heats. Russia advanced as the fastest team.

“It’s special (because) I know I can compete at 50 years old … it brings me greater joy to compete with people that are younger,” Ottey said. “I guess it’s my genes, and I like to run, you know.”

France advanced to the men’s 400 relay final on Sunday despite the absence in qualifying by Christophe Lemaitre, who won the 100 and 200 dashes. Martian Mbandjock, who won bronze in the 100 and 200, anchored France. Germany was fastest in a time of 38.75 seconds.

Belgium topped women’s 400 qualifying, and France was quickest in the men’s 1,600.

Jessica Ennis of Britain maintained her heptathlon lead after finishing fourth in Saturday’s long jump behind the winner, Jennifer Oeser of Germany. Ennis’ 5,065 points put her 68 ahead of Nataliya Dobrynska of Ukraine with only the javelin and 800 meters left.

Associated Press Writer Ben Hayward contributed to this report.