FASTEST: Kristin Waaktaar Opland from Bratsberg IL at the top of the women's marathon distance. Photo: Daniel Tengs/tengsphoto/BMW Oslo Marathon

Kristin Waaktaar Opland fastest woman at the BMW Oslo Marathon

Kristin Waaktaar Opland (41) from Bratsberg IL became Norwegian marathon champion at today's BMW Oslo Marathon. No women were able to keep up with the Bratsberg runner.

She won in a time of 2:44:20 in the 40-44 year old category, and was 2.30 minutes ahead of the runner-up in the women's category.

Second to finish among the women was Melissah Gibson from Ealing Eagles Running Club in the UK. Her time was 2:46:49.

In third place overall was Siri Schøne Ness from Lyn. She finished in a time of 2:49:43 in the 35-39 age group.

The fourth best female time, and third among the Norwegian women overall, was Marit Haslie from the organizing club Vidar. She clocked a time of 2:50:25 in the 24-34 age group.

- This was great. It was a well-organized race. Yes, I felt in control all the way," says the winner and mother of two from Bratsberg in Trøndelag.

She also set a new personal marathon record. The old one was from the Berlin Marathon.

- I like running on hilly and varied trails. This one was. And it was fun to win the national championship gold. It's probably the highlight of my career so far," says Kristin Waaktaar Opland.

Last year, Annie Bersagel from the Oslo club Tjalve was the fastest in the women's marathon distance at today's BMW Oslo Marathon in the capital. She achieved a time of 2:43:26 in last year's BMW Oslo Marathon.

See results and more at:

BMW Oslo Marathon @ UltimateLIVE