Jepchirchir beats world record holder Kosgei to win grueling marathon

After more than 35 kilometers the group thinned out to four runners with only Jepchirchir, Kosgei, Molly Seidel and the Kenyan born Israeli Salpeter left. Among others, world champion Chepngetich, the Japanese Mao Ichiyama, Helalia Johannes from Namibia and the Ethiopian Roza Dereje had to leave.

The temperature had now risen to 29 degrees. Jepchirchir and Kosgei started again, to which Salpeter and Seidel had to pass. Saltpeter immediately got out disappointed. The American Seidel did stay in the footsteps of the two Kenyans.

Jepchirchir and Kosgei were left alone and the battle between the two Kenyan athletes was won by Jepchirchir. She ran away from her compatriot with two kilometers to go and crossed the finish line solo after 42 kilometers and 195 meters. Kosgei completed the Kenyan party 16 seconds behind. Seidel came in after 2:27.46 and Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje (2.28.38) was fourth.

Deelstra is improving, Holterman makes a late jump

After the arrival of Jepchirchir, 36-year-old Deelstra had to wait nine minutes and 45 seconds. After ten kilometers she was still in a large group in 41st place in her second Olympic marathon and after 25 kilometers she had climbed to 27th position.

Then Deelstra dropped again, but in the end Deelstra crossed the finish line with his hands up. She improved her 60th place from Rio de Janeiro with 44th place.

Holterman deliberately started the marathon cautiously and stayed at the tail end of the field for a long time. In the final kilometers a 29-year-old athlete from Egmond aan den Hoef made a small jump. Her Olympic debut, only her third marathon, resulted in 63rd place on 18.07.

–