Binh sets new marathon record

Record breaker: Pham Thi Binh wins a gold medal and sets a national record in the women's marathon at the National Athletics Championships in Ha Noi on Saturday. — thethaovanhoa Photo

HA NOI — Pham Thi Binh won a gold medal and set a national record in the women's marathon at the National Athletics Championships in Ha Noi on Saturday.

Binh, from Quang Ngai Province, finished the race in a time of 2hr 47.24min, breaking the old record of 2:48.34 set by Thai Binh's Pham Thi Hien at the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in 2007.

It was the third record to be broken at the championships, following the women's 400m hurdles and men's hammer throw.

In the men's marathon, Tran Van Loi of Binh Phuoc took first place with a time of 2:35.15.

The women's and men's walks were also held on Saturday, and went to national record holder Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc of Da Nang and her younger brother Nguyen Thanh Ngung.

London Olympian Phuc had no difficulty leaving her rivals behind and wrapped up her race in 1:41.58. Ngung won in a time of 1:36.00.

The championships will be back in action after a day off yesterday, and will finish tomorrow. — VNS