SAN DIEGO — Simon Wangai of Kenya broke away from fellow countryman Leonard Maina at mile 23 and breezed to victory in the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon today.

Wangai who won last year's Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., finished in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 7 seconds, 49 seconds ahead of the Maina, who was clocked in at 2:10:56.

Kenyans Hilary Kimaiyo (2:11:27) and James Getanda (2:11:50) were third and fourth, respectively in the men's division followed by Kebede Tekeste of Ethiopia (2:12:10). Defending champion Daniel Yego of Kenya was seventh (2:13:13).

Yulia Gromova of Russia bettered her personal best in a marathon by nearly six minutes as she came from behind to win the women's division in 2:28:23, almost two minutes ahead of Jemima Sumgong of Kenya (2:30.18).

Nuta Olaru of Romania was third in 2:30:54 followed by Liliya Yadzhak of Russia (2:35:43) and Sisay Measo of Ethiopia (2:41:09).

Both Wangai. 28, and Gromova, 34, earned $35,000 for their victory in the race that attracted more then 20,000 runners and had 45 bands playing along the route.

"I really like the music," Wangai said, "I like both kinds of music Rock n' Roll and country."

Wangai said he was unsure how well Maina would finish.

"At mile 22 I asked him (Maina) to come to my pace so we could help one another and keep moving," Wangai said. "But he fell back and I went ahead by myself."

Gromova, who was the runner-up in the LA Marathon in March, was running with her fellow countrywomen Yadzhak for the first eight miles. At 10 miles Olaru and Sumgong took the lead and left Gromova more than a minute behind.

"I didnt lose sight of the leaders," said Gromova, through an interpreter. "But I wasnt really worried, I was running my own pace. I ran conservatively in the first half, which was hilly and better in the second half that was more down hill and flat."