Benita Johnson wins Sanyo Half Marathon with new course record – The previous record was 1:10:23. The course is quite hilly, so the time is quite respectable. Saturday 23 December 2006

Benita Johnson of Australia, who set a marathon personal best, 2:22:36, in the 2006 Chicago marathon in October, won the half marathon division of Sanyo road race in Okayama on 23 December.

Although she said, “My goal will be to have a good, strong run and try to win the race. I don’t have a specific time in mind, the placing is more important to me,” before the race, she won the race with the course record of 1:10:01.

The previous record was 1:10:23. The course is quite hilly, so the time is quite respectable.