Kenya’s quest for a first gold medal was delayed even as Judith Jeptum Korir fought gallantly under the scorching heat of Eugene, Oregon, to win the East African country’s third silver medal at the World Championships yesterday evening.

Jeptum who set a French all-comers’ record of 2:19:48 to win the Paris Marathon early this year, led for most of the race before losing to Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase in a last two-kilometres sprint finish as she clocked  2:18:20, a new personal best.

Gebreslase, who won the 2021 Berlin Marathon on her debut and finished third at this year’s Tokyo Marathon, kicked with 2km to go, winning in a championships record of 2:18.11.

Gereslase who for large spells of the contest had been locked in a neck and neck race with Korir, seemed to have been saving the best for last as she broke clear of Korir to dash to the tape with a lot of energy.

Kenyan-born Israeli Lonah Chemtai Salpeter claimed bronze in 2:20.18.

Angela Tanui, another Kenyan runner had kept pace with the leading pack but fell off as the duo increased their pace, she finished sixth in 2:22.15.

There was more misery for Kenya as defending champion Ruth Chepng’etich dropped out of the race just before the 19km mark after developing stomach problems despite looking good in the initial stages. Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh also dropped out of the race.

In the 2019 edition of the biennial championship, Chepng’etich defied searing heat in Doha to win gold in 2:32.43, followed by Kenyan-born Bahraini Rose Chelimo (2:33.46), and Helalia Johannes of Namibia (2:34.15).

Olympics marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, who was a late addition to the team, pulled out this month due to a hip injury which she picked in training.

Tanui, who has a personal best of 2:17.57 from her victory in 2021 Amsterdam Marathon, also boasted  the fourth fastest time this season of 2:18.42 which she registered in her triumphant run to the 2022 Tokyo Marathon title.

Korir’s heroics stretches Kenya’s medal collection to four ( three silver and a bronze), the other medals coming  from the women’s and men’s 10,000m.