Ethiopian runner Tamirat Tola emerged victorious in the men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, breaking Kenya’s longstanding grip on the event. Tola set a new Olympic record with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 26 seconds. He finished 21 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, while Kenyan Benson Kipruto earned the bronze medal, finishing 34 seconds behind Tola.
Tola, who was initially a substitute runner for the Ethiopian team due to an injury to teammate Sisay Lemma, expressed his elation at seizing the opportunity: “I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay had injuries then I had a chance. I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfill my dream. I am very proud, very happy.” This victory marks Tola’s second Olympic medal; he previously won a medal in the 10,000 meters at the Rio Games in 2016.
Abdi, who has Somali roots, secured his second Olympic medal, improving on his bronze finish from the Tokyo Games three years prior. Tola had previously bested Abdi in the marathon at the 2022 world championships, where Abdi again took third place.
British runner Emile Cairess finished fourth and managed a sprint at the end of the grueling 42-kilometer (26-mile) course. Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge struggled significantly throughout the race, falling behind by more than eight minutes at the 30-kilometer mark and ultimately did not finish.
The last time a non-Kenyan won the marathon was in 2012 when Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich triumphed at the London Games. Kipchoge was aiming to make history by becoming the first person to win the marathon three times consecutively.
In a departure from tradition, the men’s marathon was held prior to the women’s race, scheduled for Sunday. The marathon route began at the City Hall and traversed several scenic and challenging terrains, featuring steep inclines of up to 13%.
While Abdi noted the difficulty of descending the hills, Kipruto mentioned he was adequately prepared for the challenge. Runners were treated to stunning views of Parisian landmarks, including the Opéra Garnier and the Louvre, as they passed through the route, which also featured a descent near the historic grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
Tola maintained his lead with a significant gap ahead of his competitors, reaching 18 seconds in front of his fellow Ethiopian Deresa Geleta. As the race concluded, the Invalides monument, the resting place of Napoleon, greeted the runners as they approached the finish line, where they received enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
This race was shadowed by the loss of Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this year.