Xi An (China), Oct 20 (IANS) Liyew Kebede of Ethiopia triumphed in the Xi'an international marathon on Saturday.

As home to the Terra-Cotta Warriors, Xi'an attracted 30,000 runners from 30 countries and regions to participate in the second edition of the race, reports Xinhua news agency.

About 15,000 marathon runners started at Xi'an South Gate Plaza, ran past the Bell Tower, the High-tech Zone and the Big Wild Goose pagoda, finally reaching the Daming Palace National Heritage Park.

Kebede finished in 2:16:40, beating Morocco's Imghar Yazid and Ethiopian Tefera Girma by seven seconds and 19 seconds respectively.

In the women's group, Bayartsogt Munkhzaya of Mongolia was crowned with a time of 2:31:01. The top Chinese finisher was Chen Lliming, third in 2:40:36.

--IANS gau/bg