After running 42.195 km, a 'mere 3-second gap' decides the showdown: A fierce battle unfolds at the Gyeongju International Marathon! Kim Hong-min and Kim Ga-i top the domestic categories

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Even after completing the 42.195 km marathon, the race was decided by a 'mere 3-second' margin just before the finish line. Ethiopia's Mulugeta Assefa Uma (28) claimed the throne of the 2026 Gyeongju International Marathon following an intense sprint battle that lasted until the very last moment. In the domestic category, Kim Hong-min (Jecheon City Hall) and Kim Ga-i (Gimcheon City Hall) took top honors in the men's and women's divisions, respectively.

The 'The Dong-A Ilbo 2026 Gyeongju International Marathon' began with a powerful start on the main road in front of the Gyeongju Citizen Sports Complex at 8:00 a.m. on the 17th. A thrilling contest unfolded in the international men's category. Uma engaged in a fierce battle for the lead with Kenya's Robert Kimutai Ngeno as they approached the finish line, but he maintained an unshakable pace to sprint and cross the finish line first with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 56 seconds.

Uma is an athlete who holds a personal best of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 33 seconds in 2024, and is the winner of the 2024 Paris Marathon and the 2024 Toronto Marathon. The gap between him and second-place Ngeno (2 hours, 6 minutes, and 59 seconds) was a mere 3 seconds. Kenya's Solomon Timoth Sutter followed in third place with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 5 seconds.

In the domestic men's category, the performance of Kim Hong-min, born in 2004 and regarded as a next-generation star of Korean marathon running, stood out prominently. Kim broke the finish tape with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 34 seconds, setting a new personal best. It was his first-ever marathon race victory, achieved on his fourth attempt at the full course.

After the race, Kim Hong-min said, "Given the high temperature, I did not expect to achieve a good time, but it is an honor to win." He expressed his ambitious goal, stating, "I will use this competition as a stepping stone to grow into a national team member in the future and elevate the status of Korean marathon running." Kim Hak-su (Samsung Electronics) with 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 35 seconds, and Hong Jin-pyo (2 hours, 23 minutes, and 44 seconds) took second and third place in the domestic men's category, respectively.

In the domestic women's category, Kim Ga-i crossed the finish line first with a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 7 seconds, savoring the joy of victory. Kim Ga-i said, "I am very happy to win at a competition I prepared for diligently." She added, "I will continue to train steadily so that I can further shorten my times in the future." Lee Ji-eun (2 hours, 46 minutes, and 1 second, K-water) took second place, and Sim Ha-young (2 hours, 46 minutes, and 42 seconds, Gimcheon City Hall) finished third.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original