Italy's Ruffini wins marathon open water gold

Italy dominated the men's marathon 25km openwater podium on Saturday with Simone Ruffini taking gold and Matteo Furlan bronze at the world championships in Kazan.

Ruffini took gold in four hours 53 minutes 10.7 seconds at Kazan's Kazanka venue with Alex Meyer of the USA winning silver at just 4.4sec back.

Having finished fourth in the event two years ago in Barcelona, the 27-year-old American finally made it onto the podium.

Furlan claimed third after finishing one min 27.3sec back and won his second bronze at these world championships after a podium place in the 5km earlier this week.

In the women's event, Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha took gold over the 25km distance with a winning time of 5:13.47.3 hrs with Hungary's Anna Olasz second at 26.3 seconds back.

Germany's Angela Maurer, who won a silver in the event at the 2013 championships, had to settle for bronze this time as she finished 1 min 20.3 sec back.
Source: AFP