Paris Marathon: Vivian Cheruiyot claims bronze in return show as Ethiopians shine

Vivian Cheruiyot‘s return to action saw her finish in third place during the Paris Marathon held on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

This was Cheruiyot’s first marathon action in over three years but she could not beat her Ethiopian rivals who finished in first and second place.

The world multiple champion was in action for the first time since her last appearance in Valencia in 2020 when she clocked 2:21:47. She ended up finishing behind the Ethiopia duo of Mestawut Fikir (2:20:45) Enatnesh Tirusew (2:20:47) then.

Going into the Paris race, Cheruiyot was the fastest entrant but found the going rather tough as she finished behind Mestawut Fikir and Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew, both debutants.

The Kenyan is a 2018 London Marathon winner where she posted a personal best of 2:18:31 but was the runner-up in the same year’s New York Marathon.

Men’s race

In the men’s race, Kenya’s Titus Kiptoo finished second and Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Asefa Uma 2:05:33 finished first with his personal best.

Kiptoo led until the final kilometres but Uma’s decisive kick in the final five kilometres eventually proved hard for the Kenyan to beat. A silver medal for Kiptoo could feel not a deserved award for how he generally performed, but for the Ethiopian, it is a double joy for the win and the new personal record.

Kipruto clocked 2:05:48 to finish ahead of his compatriot Elisha Rotich. The former was returning to the marathon scene after a two-year absence.

Rotich is also the winner of the 2021 Paris Marathon and managed the third finish this time around clocking 2:06:54 for third. Rotich’s course record, however, remains intact.

Paris Marathon results

Men

Mulugeta Asefa Uma 2:05:33 (PB)

Titus Kipruto 2:05:48

Elisha Rotich 2:06:54

Women

Mestawut Fikir 2:20:45 (debut)

Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew 2:20:47 (debut)

Vivian Cheruiyot 2:21:47