China claimed the 2006 Beijing International Relay Marathon women's title while Kenya won men's event on Sunday.

The six-strong Chinese women squad, spearheaded by Seoul Marathon winner Zhou Chunxiu, completed the 42.195-kilometer course in two hours sixteen minutes and 43 seconds.

Defending champion Ethiopia finished second in 2:18:47, 1 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of third-placed Australia.

In men's race, Kenya clocked 2:02:59 for the title, leaving Russia a far second in 2:06:02. China was the third in 2:06:22.

Winners of the men's and women's races, which started and finished at the Tiananmen Square downtown, were awarded US$20,000 each.

According to the organizers, a record of about 4,000 international and local runners, including amateurs, took part in the event of a 20-year history.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)