Oregon 2022: Kenya’s wait for gold continues as Korir settles for silver in women’s marathon
Kenya will have to wait a little longer for that elusive gold medal at the Oregon World Athletics championships after Judith Jeptum Korir lost ground to Gotytom Gebreselase of Ethiopia at the 41 kilometre mark to settle for silver in the women’s marathon on Monday afternoon.
Gotytom Gebreselase smashed Paula Radcliffe’s championship record of 2:20:15 set in 2005 by clocking 2:18:11 to give Ethiopia gold.
Korir (2:18:20) led in almost two thirds of the race and it was frustrating how she lost ground to Gebreselase who was just toying behind her for over 30 kilometres.
2019 World Champion Ruth Chepngetich dropped out after 16 kilometres with what appeared to be a stomach problem. Chepngetich was in cruise control of the race before halting then walking out of the track in serious pain.
Kenyan-born Israeli Lornah Salpeter finished third for bronze, timing 2:20:18. Another Kenyan in the race Angela Tanui finished sixth in 2:22:15.
In the early stages of the race, the Kenyan trio of Korir, Tanui and Chepngetich kept Ethiopia’s Gebreselase, Yashete Bekere and Ababel Yeshaneh in check and this forced Bekere to fall out leaving the five to take control of the marathon. In the 30 kilometre mark, the battle was between Gebre and Korir and this was to be the story until the 41km when the Ethiopian decided to go for the kill.
