Finn Holmen records marathon victory

Janne Holmen handed Finland their first gold medal of the European championships with a gutsy victory in the men's marathon today…

Janne Holmen handed Finland their first gold medal of the European championships with a gutsy victory in the men's marathon today.

The 24-year-old led almost from start to finish in driving rain to clock a winning time of two hours 12 minutes 14 seconds, shaving over four minutes off his personal best.

Holmen, whose mother Nina won the European title for the 3,000 metres in 1974 and whose father Rune placed 12th in the 5,000 metres final at the 1971 championships, was never challenged around the streets of Munich.

Estonia's Pavel Loskutov won a close battle for second place, crossing the line in 2:13:18. Spaniard Julio Rey took the bronze in 2:13:21.