Olympic Marathon too hot for Ugandan trio in Paris

Ugandan marathon runners could not match the pace of the 2024 Paris Olympics race which ended with an Olympic record set by Ethiopian Tamirat Tora.

Neither could the defending champion Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge who registered a DNF (Did Not finish) as he failed to defend his title.

Tora clocked 2:06.26 to become the fourth Ethiopian to win the men’s title and did it in style with an Olympic record just like many others registered at this year’s games. Over 15 Olympic records were set over different events in Paris including in the 10000m won by Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei in 26:43.14.

Uganda was represented by Victor Kiplangat, Andrew Kwemoi Rotich and Stephen Kissa with the latter also unable to finish. Belgium’s Abdi Bashir who finished in 2:06.47 and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto (2:07.00) took the silver and bronze respectively.

Kiplangat who led the race for the first five kilometres dropped to second at the 10km mark and was fourth at the 15km mark but could not cope with the hilly sections of the course after that, dropping to 22nd by the halfway mark where the Ethiopian took charge.

“The race was tough and it was my first time to see a course like this at the Olympics but all in all I thank God that I have managed to finish because it is always good to reach the finish line. There is nothing much I can do but just accept the results,” Kiplangat said.

“The route’s first 14 kilometres was flat but from then on I wasn’t moving well so I had to maintain my pace and run alone to finish. The course was very hilly and it was hard luck for me but I can do my best next time.

“There was no pressure for me coming here, so along the way I realized I should accept whatever result I get at my first Olympics. I have learnt a lot, I have gained experience and I believe it was good,” Kiplangat who finished 37th in 2:11.59, stated.

Kwemoi who finished 62nd out of the 81 athletes who competed said he could not cope with the heat. Ten athletes could not finish the race through the route that passed through nine of the Ile-de-France region’s iconic parks and forests and the majestic Palace of Versailles.

The demanding course included a 436m climb and a 438m descent which left even the medalists calling it the hardest marathon course they have ever run.