Commonwealth games: Michael Githae bags Kenya’s first medal
27 year old Japan based Michael Mugo Githae made it to the men's marathon podium after managing a third place finish to clinch bronze on day two of the Commonwealth Games at Smithfield in Birmingham, central England.
Githae crossed the line at 2:13:16 right behind second place Tanzanian Alphonce Felix Simbu who clocked 2:12:29. The gold medal went to Ugandan athlete Victor Kiplangat at 2:10:55.
Githae and compatriot Jonathan Korir had stayed with the leading pack of six until the 30km when Kiplangat and Simbu completely dropped them.
Liam Adama from Australia, had actually hit the front early to go through 5 kilometres in 15 minutes and 42 seconds as the pack of Githae, Simbu, Kiplangat and another Tanzanian Athumani Misai gave chase.
Kiplangat, Githae and Simbu exchanged the leads for a moment before the other pack joined them right after the 27km.
Then the race started to curve when Kiplangat broke away after the 29km with Simbu in pursuit to hit the 30km mark in 1:32:45. Githae and Korir dropped 17 seconds off the pace.
Kiplangat would show Simbu a clean pair of heels with 10km to go hitting the 35km in 1:47:09 with Simbu falling 18 seconds off the pace as Githae followed one minute and 25 seconds in bronze medal position.
