London Olympics 2012 Women's Marathon

Ethiopia's Tiki Gelana won gold in the women's marathon on the streets of London, denying the powerful Kenyans their first Olympic crown in a Games record time of 2hr 23min 7sec. August 5, 2012.

Priscah Jeptoo, part of a Kenyan contingent eyeing a medals sweep after last year's one-two-three at the world championships in South Korea, took the nation's third consecutive silver in the event, five seconds behind Gelana.

Russia's Tatyana Petrova Arkhipova collected the bronze in 2:23:29.

Gelana, who ran the second fastest time of 2012 in this year's Rotterdam marathon, took charge of the race in the closing stages and 2011 world silver medallist Jeptoo did not have the strength to match her.

Mary Keitany, who has won the past two London marathons, was long part of the leading pack but slipped off the pace shortly before the 41-kilometre mark as the rain returned to drench the flag-waving crowds lining the course.

Gelana, 24, a cousin of Sydney 2000 Olympic men's marathon winner Gezahegne Abera, said the rainy conditions had suited her perfectly even though she slipped at one point.

"It was a great race. I really loved it. The rain makes it very interesting," she said.

"As soon as the rain started, I said to myself 'thank God'. I love running in the rain, I have been doing that since I was a small child.

‘‘I slipped in the middle of the race and my elbow is still injured. But I didn't feel any pain during the race.

"I was confident before the race that I could win it," she added. "I have been saving my energy for this. It really paid off."

The American's Shalane Flanagan (2:25:51) and Kara Goucher (2:26:07) placed 10th and 11th. There were seven National records set. 107 women finished the 26.2 mile race.

Comments

I enjoyed watching NBC's coverage of the marathon. I watched three hours without commerical on my IPad. This video is not from NBC but it still gives us a little bite of what happened on Sunday. The men run the same course this Sunday. Can't wait!!!
Bob Anderson 8/8/12 11:03 am