By ERICA BULMAN

Associated Press Writer

MUNICH, Germany (AP) World record-holder and three-time world champion Wilson Kipketer of Denmark won the men's 800 Sunday at the European track and field championships.

Kipketer, who was upset at the 2000 Olympics by German Nils Schumann, won Sunday's race in 1 minute, 47.25 seconds. Defending world champion Andre Bucher of Switzerland took the silver medal, and Schumann - the defending European champion - was third.

The Kenyan-born Kipketer stayed with the pack until the last half-lap, then accelerated going into the final bend. Schumann tried to follow but didn't have enough power and was overtaken by Bucher in the final few meters.

Bucher has come back from a stress fracture in his left foot that sidelined him for 10 weeks in the spring.

In other events, Finland's Janne Holmen - the youngest competitor in the men's marathon - endured driving rain and cold temperatures to win the race in two hours, 12 minutes, 14 seconds. Holmen, 24, grabbed the early lead in the race to win his first major international title.

Pavel Loskutov, a 32-year-old Estonian, took silver in 2:13.18 for his first medal at a major championship. Spain's Julio Rey, who recently returned from a two-year doping ban, took third.

Britain's men had little trouble defending their 4x100 meter relay title, with 100-meter champion Dwain Chambers leading the team to the victory in 38.19 seconds - the fastest time in the world this year.

Anchored by Odiah Sidibe, the French women defended the nation's title in the 4x100-meter relay, winning in 42.46.

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