Argentine Mariano Mastromarino wins Buenos Aires marathon

Mariano Mastromarino (centre)

Buenos Aires, Oct 13 (IANS)

Argentine athlete Mariano Mastromarino won the Buenos Aires Marathon, where more than 10,000 people participated.

Sunday was the first time in 10 years that an Argentine athlete won the 42.195-km race, reports Xinhua.

Mastromarino, born in Mar del Plata, won with a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 28 seconds.

At 37-km he overtook Kenyan favourites Julius Karinga (winner in 2013) and Peter Muasya.

Mastromarino, 32, said he was "happy and surprised" with his victory. The last time an Argentine athlete - Oscar Cortinez - won the Buenos Aires Marathon was in 2004.

"I did not qualify for London 2012 but I wanted to participate in Rio de Janeiro and with this victory I am close," said Mastromarino.

Chileans Leslie Encina and Christopher Guajardo came second and third respectively.

In the women's category, Kenyan Lucy Karlml won for the third consecutive year, with a time of two hours, 38 minutes and 53 seconds.