1997

EXPLOSIVE described the men's and women's races in yesterday's 25th Honolulu Marathon.

Kenya's 28-year-old Eric Kimaiyo capped off his brilliant year of marathoning with a surprising breakaway on the second most elevated part of the course to win for the second straight year. His time in the 26.2-mile race -- 2 hours, 12 minutes and 17 seconds -- on a cool 66-degree day was the fastest since 1989.

It was one minute and 16 seconds faster than his 1996 time and was the fastest since the course was altered in 1992.

Kimaiyo made the critical move to break away from his closest challenger, countryman Jimmy Muindi, when least expected. Approaching Mile 24 near Triangle Park, where the course rises from 10 to 100 feet above sea level at Diamond Head Lookout, he accelerated to complete the next mile in 4 minutes and 40 seconds. Muindi said he experienced stomach trouble and was unable to respond to Kimaiyo's unusually strong uphill surge.

In the women's race, 27-year-old Russian Svetlana Vasilieva improved on last year's runner-up performance to win at 2:33:14. Irina Bogacheva of Kyrghiztan (located between Kazakstan and northwestern China), the leader for three-quarters of the race, accused Vasilieva of getting physical with her late in the race.

It was the second time in a row a Russian woman has won the race. Rumila Burangulova won last year in 2:34:28. Kimaiyo's win was the eighth by a Kenyan man at Honolulu.

Overcast skies with no winds and a sprinkle of rain in some areas -- ideal conditions for a marathon -- welcomed the 33,682 entrants. There were 26,495 finishers in the event, making Honolulu the third largest marathon in the world this year behind New York City and London.