The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By The Independent Team
Uganda’s Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich on Saturday won the men’s marathon at the World Championships in Moscow.
Kiprotich, the winner at last year’s London Games, became the first non-Kenyan to win the title since 2005 when he crossed the line in two hours nine minutes 51 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Boston marathon winner Lelisa Desisa who was second in 2:10:12 and compatriot Tadese Tola took third a further 11 seconds back.
The top Kenyan on a sunny and warm afternoon in Moscow was Peter Some in ninth place.
Kiprotich, who trains in Kenya, was under pressure throughout the race by the trio of Ethiopians including 2012 Chicago Marathon winner Tsegay Kebede who was 24 seconds behind Tola in fourth place (2:10:47).
It was Uganda’s first men’s world title in the 30-year history of the championships.
“I am so happy I won another gold medal for my country,” Kiprotich said. “Now I am the Olympic and world champion.”
With a dozen events left over the closing weekend, the United States leads the overall standings with 16 medals, including five gold. The host nation has 11 overall, also with five gold.
Kenya has nine overall, including three gold.
