LONDON -- Steve Ovett of Britain won the Westminster Mile road racethrough the center of London Sunday, holding off a fierce challenge from double world record holder Steve Cram 200 meters from the tape.
Ovett, whose track season was marred by illness and injury, punched the air in glee and allowed a huge smile to crack his face as he clocked 3 minutes 56.04 seconds to win the first mile of its type run in the city.
Maricica Puica, the Olympic 3000 meters champion from Romania, won the women's race in 4:22.88, ahead of Britain's Christina Boxer and Kirsty McDermott.
The races started near Downing Street, the official residence of the British prime minister, and went through streets near Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Royal Famly, and the Houses of Parliament.
