• The third Kenyan, Jushua Belet, dropped out at the 26km.
• This time around, it was Uganda's time to reclaim the title they last won at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow — through Stephen Kiprotich.
Image: ERICK BARASA
Kenya marathoners have attributed their dismal show at the World Athletics Championships to the high temperatures here in Budapest, Hungary.
Titus Kipruto was the highest Kenyan in position eight after clocking 2:10:47 with Timothy Kiplagat placing 14th in 2:11:25. The third Kenyan, Jushua Belet, dropped out at 26km.
This time around, it was Uganda’s time to reclaim the title they last won at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow — through Stephen Kiprotich.
Victor Kiplangat was the man of the moment as he defied the hot conditions to run away with the gold medal in 2:08:53.
Israel’s Maru Teferi overtook Ethiopia’s Leul Gebresilase with 10 metres to go to clinch the silver medal. Ugandan Stephen Kissa was fifth in 2:10:22 behind Tebello Ramakongoana (2:09:57).
In an interview, Kipruto said the kind of temperatures they experienced was not what they had expected.
Image: ERICK BARASA
”I have never run in this kind of conditions and much as I had ambitions for a medal, I was forced to slow down,” said Kipruto.
At one point, he could not push because if he did, he was going to drop out. They were planning to stick together until the 35km mark and then open the gap but this was not possible.
“At the 30km mark, I felt weak and my teammate dropped further back, forcing me to go at my pace,” he said, adding that he was still grateful that he managed to finish the race.
Meanwhile, Kipruto revealed he has no plans for his near future but would fancy running at one of the World Marathon Major races.
“It will not be a bad idea to race in London or Chicago,” he noted.
Kiplagat echoed his teammates’ sentiments, saying the weather conditions were too harsh for them.
He explained that experience is the best teacher and he will use the lessons from Budapest to build upon his future races.
Uganda’s new champion Kiplangat said he had trained well and as much as the conditions were harsh, his body responded quite well.
“I was psychologically prepared for this race and I am happy I won the gold medal,” he said.
The Commonwealth Games marathon champion said the feat here was a huge victory for him and he can’t wait for the celebrations back home.
He said he had trained at Kapchorwa and he will continue training there ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.