
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, May 7, 1990                   TAG: 9005070093
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PORTUGUESE WOMAN WINS PITTSBURGH MARATHON

Conceicao Ferreira, a Portuguese cross country runner adapting well to a hilly course and strength-draining humidity, smiled her way to a nearly a wire-to-wire victory in the women's division of the Pittsburgh Marathon.

The men's winner, in one of the few major marathons that spotlights women, was Dick Hooper of Dublin, Ireland, who took over from a fading Agapius Masong of Tanzania at the 21-mile point to outkick runner-up Tom Ekblom of Finland and win by 26 seconds.

The race was marred by two deaths that appeared to be related to heart problems. Allegheny County (Pa.) coroner's officials were investigating the deaths of Jack Niles, 60, of Silver Spring, Md., and Richard D. Hough, 47, of Pittsburgh.

The deaths were the first in the six-year history of the race. Both men were experienced marathon runners, according to David Ellis, the marathon's medical director.

Doug France, a former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman and two-time Pro Bowl player, was in serious condition after an accident that killed another motorist. France, 37, was arrested for investigation of felony drunken driving after the accident Saturday on a narrow, winding road near his Orange County home, said California Highway Patrol Officer Roland Berry.

by CNB