Catherina McKiernan of Ireland won the women's Berlin marathon yesterday with a course record time of two hours 23 minutes and 44 seconds. A four-time runner-up in the world cross country championships, McKiernan's time was the best for a women's marathon debutante. "I picked up the pace at the 30-km (18-mile) point and ran away from everyone else," she said. "I am very happy."

She was followed home by Madina Biktagirova of Belarus in 2:24:46 and Marleen Renders of Belgium in third at 2:26:18.

Elijah Lagat of Kenya won the men's marathon with the world's fastest time this year, out-sprinting compatriot Eric Kimaiyo to win by two seconds.

Lagat's time of 2:7:41 was ten seconds faster than the previous best set by Domingos Castro of Portugal.