Marathon, Women

The race had no clear favorite, although the Ethiopian and Kenyan runners were expected to be among the medallists. Through 35 km the lead pack was seven, including a Kenyan, Jemima Sumgong, two Ethiopians, Mare Dibaba and Tirfi Tsegaye, two native-born Kenyans running as Bahrainis, Eunice Kirwa and Rose Chelimo, and American Shalane Flanagan, all led by Belarussian Olga Mazuryonok, a former walker turned marathoner. After 2 hours of running Kirwa pushed the pace and strung out the lead group, deciding the medals as she, Sumgong, and Dibaba pulled ahead. Dibaba was on Kirwa’s shoulder while Sumgong was seemingly dropped, quickly losing 5-8 metres. By 24 miles, however, the leading threesome was back together and then Sumgong made her challenge, dropping Dibaba at the 25-mile mark. With one kilometer remaining Sumgong surged again, finally putting space between herself and Kirwa. Sumgong held on, winning the gold medal by 9 seconds over Kirwa, the first ever gold for Kenya in this race, despite the history of Kenyan distance running dominance. Dibaba took bronze over her countrywoman Tsegaye.