Athletics: Crumpton best of NZers in marathon

Otago's Shireen Crumpton ran a personal best to head the New Zealand quartet in 33rd place in the women's marathon at the world athletics championships in Finland today.

Crumpton ran two hours 37 minutes three seconds to finish just over 16min behind gold medallist Paula Radcliffe of Britain on the final day of the championships in Helsinki.

United States-based Liza Hunter-Galvan improved on her 51st placing in last year's Olympic marathon with 39th today in 2hr 39min 47sec.

Canterbury's Rebecca Moore was 45th in 2hr 50min 36sec while Kay Ulrich was one of six runners not to finish in the 57-strong field.

- NZPA