European Championships 2018: Volha Mazuronak wins marathon despite nosebleed

VOLHA MAZURONAK won her first ever international marathon at the European Championships - despite being covered in blood.

The Belarusian, 29, suffered a nosebleed early on in the race but battled on to win the race in a time of 2hr 26min 22secs on the streets of Berlin.

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She also nearly took a wrong turn with less than a mile to go in the race but held on for victory.

France's Clemence Calvin took silver while bronze was taken by Eva Vrabcova Nyvltova of the Czech Republic.

Paula Radcliffe explained that the "biggest factor" in overcoming the bloodbath was Mazuronak's breathing.

Radcliffe, who has held the world record for the women's marathon for over 15 years, said: "It's very unusual, I don't think I've ever seen it, especially in the early stages of a marathon."

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Mazuronak had never before won gold at a major international race, finishing second in the 5000m at the European Team Championships and the Military World Games in 2015.

She holds the national record for the women's marathon, setting her time of 2hr 23min 54secs in the London Marathon two years ago.

She said: "The race was difficult. Suddenly the blood started to flow out of my nose and I thought it was going to stop quickly but it was strong.

"I know it must have looked horrible. Fortunately I managed it and in the end it did not affect me.

"I think it could be because of the change of the weather but it also happened to me during training before. I don't know why."

Aleksandra Duliba has thrice gone quicker than Mazuronak's record but her timings were annulled when she received a two-year ban in 2016 for breaking anti-doping regulations.

The 2018 European Championships, held across Berlin and Glasgow, started on August 2 and conclude today.