MOSCOW: Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat became the first woman to retain the marathon world title when she eased home yesterday to earn the first gold medal on the opening day of the World Athletics Championships.
The 33-year-old – only 20th in the Olympics last year – timed 2hr 25min 44sec to take gold ahead of long-time leader Valeria Straneo of Italy (2:25.58) while Japan’s Kayoko Fukushi took bronze (2:27.45).
Olympic champion Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia never featured on her return to competition after being knocked over by a wheelchair competitor during this year’s London Marathon.
Straneo set the pace from the off but was closely watched by the pursuing pack of 11. The group had been reduced to seven at the 10km mark with the 37-year-old Italian still leading.
Kiplagat was back in 15th place some 29sec off the leaders, but the Kenyan moved up a gear and edged her way back into contention. Within a couple of kilometres she had hauled in the septet and joined the leading pack as they passed the Kremlin.
Straneo was still the hare at the 15km mark.
Kiplagat, having allowed Straneo to set the pace, finally made the decisive move just after the 40km mark, and this time the Italian had no answer, contenting herself with the silver. — AFP