ESPN News ServicesI read for 1 minute
Uganda’s Victor Kiplanket executed his game plan almost perfectly as he pulled away late in the race to win the men’s marathon on Sunday, the final day of the world championships.
Kiplangat reached the goal in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 53 seconds. Israel’s Maru Teferi won silver in 2:09:12 and Ethiopia’s Lul Gebresilez bronze in 2:09:19 on a hot day that eventually reached 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
„Today was difficult because it was very hot, but I felt comfortable because I prepared well for this weather,” said 23-year-old Kiplangat. „I always felt like I had power.”
Kiblangat is the first Ugandan champion since Stephen Kiprodich in 2013 and the first non-Ethiopian winner since 2017.
The heat and humidity meant 24 runners did not finish the race, which ended in Heroes’ Square, including defending champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, who said he was dealing with stomach problems.
„I tried my best. I felt good till 30km,” said Tola. „After that, I started having a bad feeling in my stomach.”
The first American finisher was Zach Bunning, who finished 13th and Kiplancott was 2:28 behind.
The World Championships wrap up on Sunday night with seven finals. That includes American Athing Mu, who will try to defend her 800-meter title with the men’s and women’s 4×400 relays to close out the competition in Budapest.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.