President Ruto lauds Rose Wanjiru’s Tokyo Marathon performance
By Joel Sang, March 3, 2024
After finishing second in the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 3, 2023, President William Ruto has lauded Rosemary Wanjiru.
The Kenyan was second after coming in behind Ethiopia’s Asefa Kebede, who broke the 2:16:02 record set by Brigid Kosgei in 2022.
Ruto said Wanjiru’s performance is a source of pride for the nation and acknowledged the performance in Tokyo as a milestone in her career.
“Well done, Rosemary Wanjiru, for being the runner-up in the women’s Tokyo Marathon.
“Your inspiring performance not only marks a significant milestone in your career but is also a source of pride for Kenyans,” Ruto said on X.
How race was settled
Meanwhile, Kebede, Wanjiru, and Beriso, Sifan Hassan, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, Betsy Saina, and Buzunesh Getachew ran together in a group alongside male runners and reached 15km in 48:38.
Hassan, a multiple Olympic and world track gold medallist, was towards the back of that pack at 20km, a mark that was first reached by defending champion Wanjiru in 1:04:45, with the Dutch four seconds behind.
Hassan, a 2023 London and Chicago Marathons winner, had let them get away by 28 km, but she carried on, running alone.
At 30km, the winners seemed decided as Wanjiru, Kebede, and Beriso crossed it at 1:36:43. After Beriso was dropped, Kebede also managed to shake off Wanjiru and seal victory over the closing kilometres.
The Ethiopian won in 2:15:55, took more than two minutes off the personal best she set in Seoul, South Korea, in 2022, and moved to number eight on the world all-time list.