Kiplangat leads NN Running Team World Athletics Championship marathon challenge
Victor Kiplangat of the NN Running Team put in a brave defense of his World Athletics Championship marathon title but ultimately had to settled for fifteenth on the streets of Tokyo.
In a captivating race, the Ugandan, who dictated the pace for so much of the race, unfortunately could not maintain contact with the leaders in the final 3km, recording a time of 2:11:33. Kaan Kigen was the next best of the NN Running Team athletes placing nineteenth in 2:13:27.
The two remaining NN Running Team athletes, Stephen Kissa and 2023 World Athletics Championship marathon silver medallist Maru Teferi, both recorded a DNF.
In the closest ever World Athletics Championship marathon, Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania edged a photo-finish from Germany's Amanal Petros after both recorded 2:09:48.
The 90-strong field set off inside the Japan National Stadium in blistering temperatures of 26C and oppressive humidity, although somewhat bizarrely for a marathon a false-start was committed creating an inconvenient delay.
Through 5km, Vincent Ngetich of Kenya headed a huge group of around 50 athletes in a time of 15:22 with Ugandan duo Kiplangat and Kissa prominent. Teferi was also safely ensconced within the pack while Kigen was running towards the back of the lead group.
With many of the runners already adapting a mix of cooling methods, the 10km split was hit by German Richard Ringer in 30:48 with Kiplangat and Kissa maintaining a top ten placing in a 50-strong lead pack.
Showing rising confidence, Kiplangat advanced to the front, passing 15km in 46:26 with Kissa, Teferi and Kigen all contained within the large lead group.
Continuing to look in control, Kiplangat led the lead group which had been trimmed to a little under 40 men at halfway in 1:05:19. Kissa was also prominent while Kigen drifted towards the back of the group. Teferi was now running a further 28 seconds off the pace.
As the race stepped up in intensity, Isaac Mpofu of Zimbabwe led the field through 25km in 1:17:11, with Kiplangat and Kissa in second and third looking strong in the 30-strong lead group. Kigen was now detached some 16 seconds further back.
With passionate Japanese supporters offering huge support throughout the route by the 30km mark (1:32:27), the lead group had been reduced to 23 athletes with Ugandan duo Kiplangat and Kissa still firmly in the podium picture.
Kiplangat cruised to the front and started to pour on the pressure from 31km. Increasing the tempo, he lead a 15-strong lead pack through 35km in 1:47:47, which now no longer contained Kissa who had fallen off the pace.
However, a decisive move by Kiplangat’s fellow Ugandan Abel Chelangat blew the race wide open as Kiplangat with a little over 3km remaining was spat out of the back of the lead group.
In a compelling finale, Chelangat could not maintain his position and, entering the stadium, Simbu, Petros and Aouani were all in contention for gold. While the Italian was the first to crack, eventually settling for bronze in 2:09:53, Petros appeared set for gold having opened up a three metre lead midway down the home stretch. But the indomitable Simbu rallied and breasted the tape marginally ahead of the German to clinch a famous win.
In the women’s marathon which took place on Sunday, the lone NN Running Team entered and former World Championships marathon bronze medallist Lonah Salpeter registered a DNF. Peres Jepchirchir of Kenyan edged a thrilling battle from Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia by two seconds recording a winning time of 2:24:43.