Jemima Jelagat Sumgong’s late charge helped her to the first Kenya women’s Olympic gold in the marathon with a time of 2:24.04.
Bahrain’s Eunice Kirwa took silver, while Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba snared bronze.
USA’s Shalane Flanagan crossed the line in sixth place with a time of 2:25.33. Desiree Linden finished seventh at 2:26.08. Both of those were season bests. The third American runner, Amy Cragg, finished ninth at 2:28.25.
By the 25km mark, the leading trio remained some amalgamation of Bahrain’s Rose Chelimo and Ethiopia’s Dibaba and Tirfi Tsegaye.
Dibaba led the single file trio at 35km, but her two mates dropped off the pace at the 40km mark. Now Kenya’s Sumgong was atop, with Kirwa second and Dibaba a distant third.
Running for the U.S. were Flanagan, Linden, and Cragg. The trio ran as a pack for most of the race, advancing to ninth by the 20km mark and seventh by 30km.
Flanagan and Linden joined the Top Seven at the 35km mark.
