Tezata Desalgn, a 30-year old from Turkey, is the women's race winner at the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. Desalgn crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 45 minutes and 28 seconds, giving Turkey its first victory in the event.
Desalgn's time was faster than many women who won the race in the past, but was not as fast as the time Janet Cherobon, who won last year's event, posted. Cherobon posted a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes and 19 seconds last year. Still, Desalgn will take the victory.
Desalgn's win means that a non-American will win the women's division for the third straight year. Ethiopian Muliye Gurme won the event in 2009, and Cherobon won last year. Cate Fenster was the last American to win in 2008, and Kristen Henehan, who won in 2007, was the last local product to win.
For much more on the 36th annual Marine Corps Marathon, visit this StoryStream.