Nina Rillstone had an awesome run in the world championship marathon finishing with credit in 13th place.

Rillstone recorded 2h 33m 58s, just 3m 21s behind the winner, Catherine Ndereba of Kenya.

Chunxiu Zhou of China was second in 2h 30m 45s with Reiko Tosa of Japan running a gutsy race claiming third in 2h 30m 55s.

In only her third marathon, Rillstone was up with the leaders over the first half, in 1h 16m 34s, before dropping back, with side stitch after 25km.
Over the second half the 32 year old battled the stitch and see sawed with two other runners.

Rillstone said that she went through a bit of a bad patch between 25km and 30km.
"At mid-way I was quite a bit in front which I was loving, feeling very comfortable, and the unfortunately through the Castle area on the course, I just didn't quite have the wheels to go with the girls when they made their break," said Rillstone.

The marathon started in 27 degrees temperature with 77 percent humidity, and by the finish was up to 34 degrees.
"The conditions were kind to us, the sun was only out for the last 7km, and up to then it was cloudy. I wasn't aware of being too dehydrated, but you never know that may have been a factor in the way my side cramped, said Rillstone.

Going into the race with a ranking of 33, Rillstone said that she was happy enough with 13th.
"There were two other placings I could have got and a top ten placing would have made me really really happy," she said.

Rillstone already has a Beijing Olympic Games qualifying time and her top 16 placing in Osaka automatically qualifies her for selection under the Athletics New Zealand selection criteria.