Kenya’s Benson Kipruto Wins Bronze as Eliud Kipchoge Faces Setback in Olympic Marathon

Kenya’s hopes in the Olympic men’s marathon took a twist on Saturday, August 10, 2024, when Benson Kipruto secured a bronze medal, while the legendary Eliud Kipchoge faced an unexpected setback.

In a race held on an incredibly tough course, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola emerged victorious, finishing with a record time of 2:06:26. He shattered the previous Olympic record of 2:06.32, a mark set by the late Samuel Wanjiru in the 2008 Beijing Games.

World Athletics praised Tola’s achievement, noting that he ran one of the most brutal marathon courses in Olympic history. Coming out strong from a pack of runners, Tola took charge early on and never looked back, securing gold for Ethiopia.

Benson Kipruto, who managed to claim bronze in this competitive race, was congratulated by Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged the harsh conditions of the race and praised Kipruto’s efforts.

Meanwhile, Kipchoge, who had high hopes of winning his third consecutive Olympic gold, trailed far behind and eventually had to drop out around the 30km mark due to discomfort. This marked the first time in his illustrious career that he did not finish a marathon.

Despite the disappointment, Kipchoge maintained a positive outlook, reflecting on his journey in marathon running and how setbacks are a part of life. He indicated that he may not compete in another Olympic marathon, focusing instead on motivating others moving forward.

Alexandra Mutiso, another Kenyan competitor, finished in 21st place as the nation faced mixed results in the event. The performances stirred a mix of pride and sadness among fans and supporters.