ARGENTINA: ATHLETICS - Brazilian Giovani Jesus Santos wins the men's annual International Marathon in Buenos Aires

Thousands of runners took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Sunday (October 29) for the annual International Marathon, which benefits different public hospitals and non-governmental organizations. Despite a gloomy and rainy day, some eight-thousand runners gradually broke away from the start. The race took the athletes throughout Buenos Aires, and included Germans, Swedes, Israelis, Brazilians, Chileans, Americans, British and Japanese. Brazilian Given Jesus Saints won the men's category with a time of two hours, 18 minutes and 27 seconds. Argentine Oscar Cortinez cam in second and Peruvian Hug Ramous took third. "I have here a very strong rival who is Oscar (Cortinez) and he was helping me. We were running together until kilometre 27 and I felt good and thank God, I triumphed for the second time here in Argentina," said an elated Santos. Argentine Alejandro Maldonado won the wheelchair category. The marathon has been held each year since 2003, and organizers said the number of participants this year surpassed the other years.

ITN Source | October 31, 2006

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