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Published on December 10, 2007

Boonchu, who burst into prominence in the previous Games, was the first runner to break away from the pack at the 7-km mark. However, the others caught up with him when he slowed down due to the foot injury. Later, he pulled out of the race.

Indonesian Yahuza Yahuza crossed the finish first in 2 hours, 23.46 minutes, followed by Cambodian Hem Bunting and Filipino Eduardo Buenavista, the Manila Games champion in 5,000m, 10,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, in 2:26.28 and 2:27.21 respectively. Another Thai, Koday Senmood, finished fifth.

Among the 10 participants in the women's race were defending champion Filipino Christabel Martes, record holder (at 2:34.29) Ruwitayi from Indonesia and former Pattaya Marathon winner Feri Narince Subnafeu from Indonesia.

However, it was the local favourite Sunisa Sailomyen  who stormed home with the season's best time of 2:43.33 to win gold. Burmese Pa Pa held off Filipino Banayag to finish second in 2:44.11.

Reigning champion Martes was also unable to finish the race, making the 24th SEA Games the first in which defending champions in both the men's and women's events withdrew midway.

"This is my first gold medal. I made my debut attempt in the Chiang Mai episode in 1995, but had to be content with bronze. I came back two years later in Jakarta and took the silver," said the Chiang Mai-native from Doi Oom Koi.

Meanwhile, Malaysia made a clean sweep of both golds in the 20km walk. Teoh Boon Lim won the men's title, while Yuan Yufang came first in the women's category.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima