Intro:

The 2014 Beijing International Marathon went ahead despite heavy pollution blanketing the Chinese capital on Sunday (October 19th).

Defending champion Girmay Birhanu Gebru of Ethiopia won the men's title in a time of 2 hours 10 minutes and 42 seconds, with his compatriot Fatuma Sado Dergo taking gold in the women's competition in 2:30:03.

Script:

It was all smiles as athletes competing in the 34th Beijing Marathon limbered up for the 26.2 mile race.

Heavy smog hung over the Chinese capital, with many taking precautions to protect themselves from the elements.

Around 30,000 runners registered for the event, with almost half coming into China from overseas.

The field included defending champion Girmay Birhanu Gebru from Ethiopia.

The finish was staged in Beijing's Olympic Park, yet you wouldn't of known it with the smog preventing any views of the city.

The men's and women's marathon winners were both from Ethiopia. Girmay Birhanu Gebru retained his title in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 42 seconds, while Fatuma Sado Dergo won the women's event in 2:30:03.

China's Gong Lihua finished third in women's event.

With the Chinese authorities advising the young and elderly not to participate in the race, it was a day to be proud just to say you'd taken part.