William Kipsang of Kenya took first place at this year's Seoul International Marathon, finishing the race in two hours, eight minutes and 53 seconds on Sunday.

Kipsang outpaced Gert Thys of South Africa in the 31st kilometer for a three-kilometer stretch that saw the two run neck-and-neck until the Kenyan broke free and sped to the finish line.

After two consecutive marathoning victories, Thys was relegated to second place at two hours 11 minutes and 19 seconds, followed by Japanese marathoner Kunichika Tomoaki, who trailed by 13 seconds.

Of the South Korean competitors, Shin Jung-hoon ranked 11th, while Lim Jin-su and Lee Young-koo finished 14th and 15th, respectively.

In the women's marathon, Zhou Chun-xiu of China crossed the finish line first with a time of two hours 23 minutes and 24 seconds.