In the T52 classification (wheelchaired athletes with normal shoulder, elbow and wrist function but no trunk or leg function), Australia's Thomas Geierspichler set a new world record of the class with 1:40:07 to win the gold medal.
"I didn't realize I could be the gold medallist. It is a fantastic feeling. You know you can not win gold medal every day. I've been dreamed about this moment in my whole life," said Geierspichler.
Mexico's Mario Santillan had the stadium to himself as he crossed the line in a world record of 2:27:04 in T46 (ambulant athletes with amputations) who was followed by Brazilian Tito Sena who won the silver medal in 2:30:49 and bronze medalist Walter endrizzi from Italy in 2:32:51.
In T12 (athletes with visual impairment), China's Qi Shun had the crowd on their feet cheering, as he picked up the gold in 2:30:32 to set a new world record of the classification.
In the only classification of women's Marathon, T54, Swiss Edith Hunkeler broke away from the pack in a congested final lap. The 36-year-old who just won a bronze in 1,500m on Tuesday evening finished in 1:39:59 to set a Paralympic record.
Amanda McGrory of the USA finished in 1:40:00 to secure the silver, ahead of bronze medallist Swiss Sandra Graf in 1:40:01. McGrory had won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Beijing Paralympics.
The reigning world record holder Francesca Porcellato of Italy finished ninth with a result of 1:54:27.
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2008)