Brave Korir bags Kenya silver in women’s marathon

A brave Judith Korir fought gallantly under the scorching heat of Oregon to win Kenya her third silver medal at the World Championships, clocking 2:18:20 in the women’s marathon.

Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase, who won the 2021 Berlin Marathon on her debut and finished third in this year’s Tokyo Marathon, kicked with 2km to go, winning in a championships record of 2hr 18min 11sec

Gereslase who for large spells of the contest had been locked in a neck and neck race with Korir however had move gas in her belly, breaking clear of Korir to dash to the tape.

Kenyan-born Israeli Lonah Chemtai Salpeter claimed bronze in 2:20.18.

Angela Tanui, another Kenyan runner had kept pace with the leading pack but fell off as the duo increased their pace while defending champion Ruth Chepngetich dropped out of the race just before the 19km mark.

Kori’s heroics stretches Kenya’s medal collection to four ( three silver and a bronze), the other medals coming  from the women’s and men’s 10,000m.

Gebreslase said Korir had asked her to pass after leading for a large period of the race.

"But I stayed patient," she said. "Towards 40km, I felt strong and decided to leave."

It was a second marathon title for an Ethiopian runner in Eugene after Tamirat Tola won the men's marathon on Sunday.

"Tola's win yesterday motivated me a lot today," Gebreslase said. "I did not know I was the first Ethiopian woman to win (the world title since 2015).

"I plan to prepare well and defend my title in Budapest" at next year's world championships.

Korir admitted that it was "not easy to run with the fast Ethiopians".

"It bothered me a bit the fact that she (Gebreslase) did not want to pace with me."