The 2nd edition of the Xiwuqi Route 99 Marathon and Half Marathon saw four Mongolian runners take the victory in both the men’s and women’s races. The marathon was held in sunny and good conditions, not too hot, and saw Myagmarjav and Yi Guotao set the pace at first. But after the halfway point at Mengu Hancheng, Natsadorj Luvshandharav suddenly returned to the front and overtook the first two runners on a long uphill slope that characterises the second half of the marathon course. Luvshandarav went on to win the race in a splendid time of 2h36’55”. China’s Yi Guotao remained second in 2h41’29” and early leader Myagmarjav Gantulga third in 2h43’15”. In fourth came Inner Mongolia’s Namusharezhabu and then it was already the amazing first woman Erdene Bayartogtokh in 2h52’33”. She was half an hour ahead of Lu Fangfang with Zong Meilin shortly behind her in third place.
The half marathon was won also by Mongolians. Sukhbaatar was quickest in the men’s race in a time of 1h20’40”, three minutes ahead. Naranbat took the women’s win in 1h30’44”, eight minutes ahead of the next runner.
