1993

Korea's Bong Ju Lee wasn't taking any chances with the African runners in yesterday's 21st Honolulu Marathon.

Last year, when he finished seventh here, he saw runners from Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa seize the early initiative and control the race. This time, he made his own move early.

Catching up to the lead pack of Africans at mile 7, in a steady drizzle around Kapiolani Park, the 23-year-old Lee latched on and never let go.

Buoyed by Korean cheering sections posted at various junctures of the 26.2-mile route, Lee won a duel with 1993 South African national champion Josiah Thungwane and held off a late surge by Boston Marathon champion Cosmos Ndeti of Kenya to win in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 16 seconds.

Ndeti, who passed several runners in a furious charge over the last half of the marathon, made his second consecutive runner-up finish in Honolulu in 2:13:40. Ndeti's 22-year-old brother, Josphat, was third in 2:13:48 in a promising marathon debut.

Holland's 41-year-old Carla Beurskens cruised to her seventh Honolulu women's crown in 2:32:20 - the fourth fastest time in course history. Beurskens finished 11 minutes and 19 seconds ahead of second-place Amy Legacki of Michigan.

Despite the rain and wind, 23,607 runners finished making Honolulu the world's third largest marathon behind New York City and London.