Kenya falls short of podium in men's marathon as Uganda's Victor Kiplagat claims victory

ATHLETICS Kenya falls short of podium in men's marathon as Uganda's Victor Kiplagat claims victory

Abigael Wafula 11:00 - 27.08.2023

Kiplagat clocked 2:01:52 to cut the tape ahead of Israel’s Maru Teferi who clocked 2:09:12 to finish second.

Uganda’s Victor Kiplagat is the man of the day after obliterating a strong field to reclaim the men’s marathon title at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Kiplagat clocked 2:01:52 to cut the tape ahead of Israel’s Maru Teferi who clocked 2:09:12 to finish second. Ethiopia’s Gebresilase clocked 2:09:19 to complete the podium.

More than 50 men took on the tough course for the men’s marathon at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary with the hope of making a statement in the hotly contested race.

Among them were three Kenyan men, Joshua Belet, Timothy Kiplagat, and Titus Kipruto, all primed to medal at the event. However, they failed to live up to expectations after Kipruto finished a disappointing seventh in 2:10:47 as Kiplagat finished 14th in 2:11:25.

After the first 10km, the trio was looking comfortable, with Kiplagat controlling the race and Kipruto and Belet running among the top 10 athletes.

After 20km, Kiplagat was still in charge but at this point, Belet and Kipruto had faded and were now running among the top 20 athletes at the Half km mark, Kiplagat had now been overtaken.

At the 30km mark, Kiplagat had taken the mantle and was looking comfortable at this point. Kiplagat was now running in sixth place and struggling to maintain his position in the race. The Ethiopia duo of Gebresilase and Tamirat Tola were looking sharp running in second and third place.

Passing the 40km mark, the battle was now between the Ugandan and Gebreslase who was also looking very comfortable with the chase. Israel’s Teferi was comfortably running in third place with the hope of making a statement on the global stage too.

Kipruto was the only Kenyan looking comfortable as he was running in 10th place, seven places away from the podium.

With the finish line in sight, the Ugandan was in a class of his own as he sprinted to the finish line to win dominantly.