Kenya’s representatives in the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest endured a disappointing day as Uganda’s Victor Kiplangat won gold on Sunday, August 26, 2023.

Kiplangat ran in 2:01:52 to finish ahead of Israel’s Maru Teferi, who clocked 2:09:12 to finish second, while Ethiopia’s Gebresilase clocked third and won bronze courtesy of his 2:09:19 run.

It was a day to forget for the Kenyans, as Titus Kipruto and Timothy Kiplagat finished seventh and 14th in 2:10:47 and 2:11:25, respectively.

Gebresilase, who settled for bronze in 2:09:19, almost claimed silver, but Teferi overtook the Ethiopian in the finishing curve to come in second in 2:09:12.

Kenyans underperform

Although Kenyans might count the day as disappointing, Ethiopians will also feel they underperformed given that they finished first and second in Doha in 2019 and in Oregon in 2022.

Meanwhile, Joshua Belet, another Kenyan representative, led through 15 kilometers in 46:09 and upped the pace to match Bat-Ochir’s opening kilometer split of 2:57.

At the halfway line, 30 marathoners were in the leading pack, and at this time, John Hakizimana of Rwanda was at the front in 1:05:02. Kiplangat showed serious intent on winning when he injected a 2:54 split at the 30-kilometre mark.

As the race approached the penultimate stage, the leading pack had Kiplangat, Tamarit Tola, and Gebresilase, but Tola started to drop with the Ugandan keeping his foot.

Tola kept fading away as Kiplangat and Gebresilase went toe-to-toe after a split of 2:49. The two ran almost side by side until there were only three kilometres remaining, and at this point, Kiplangat, the Commonwealth Games champion, opened a morale-boosting gap.

Teferi overtook Gebresilase in the closing stages to go all the way and win silver. In fourth place was Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho with a personal best of 2:09:57, while Uganda’s Stephen Kissa finished fifth at 2:10:22.

Upbeat Kiplangat

After winning gold, Kiplangat explained why he felt comfortable despite the weather conditions.

“It was hard today because it was so hot, but I felt comfortable because I prepared well for this weather. I knew it was possible because I had trained well. It was a dream and a mission, and I did it today.

“When I reached 30 km, I knew I felt strong and decided to push. I had great energy, and that allowed me to go. Then, at 35 km, I could surge again. That was always my plan, and I managed to do it,” Kiplangat said after his triumphant show, as quoted by the World Athletics portal.

He is also focusing on the Olympic Games next year in Paris and is hopeful of a successful campaign.

“Last year I was the Commonwealth Games champion, and that made me think this year I must become the world champion. Now my prayers have been answered, and hopefully next year in Paris I will become an Olympic champion too,” he concluded.