By David Martin, PA International

Forging ahead of Japanese rival Reiko Tosa, 300 metres before entering the Commonwealth Stadium, Lidia Simon won this morning's marathon.

The 27-year-old Romanian, who made her debut over the distance 10 years ago finished five seconds clear of her Japanese rival in a time of two hours, 26 minutes and one second.

Third place went to Russia's Svetlana Zakharova in 2hrs 26mins 18secs.

Simon's team mate Constantina Dita led for 35 kilometres of the race, at one point she holding a lead of almost two minutes before fading as the chasing pack blasted past her.

Zakhavora fell off the pace at 37 kilometres to leave a two-horse race.

Tosa, 25, who prepared for the race in Boulder, Colorado, looked the stronger of the two women at first.

But approaching the stadium, Simon, bronze medallist in 1997 and 1999 made a telling break for home to add the world title to the Olympic silver medal she gained last year in Sydney.

Simon said: "I knew I had to be strong at the end, but I couldn't be sure I had won until the last 100m.

"The race was actually quite easy for me. I had no problems running or keeping up with the pack. The route felt easier than last year in Sydney. The weather was somewhat hot, but acceptable for me."

Simon, who now plans to have a baby, added: "I've had so many other medals that this time the only aim I had was the golden one."

She vowed to return to running in time to defend her Olympic title in Athens in 2004.