Uganda’s Kiprotich beats Kirui and Kipsang to win Marathon gold

Stephen Kiprotich produced a stunning performance at the 37km mark of the marathon to win Uganda’s first Olympic gold in 40 years while Kenya’s duo of Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang took silver and bronze, respectively in the last day of the 2012 London Olympics.

Kiprotich finished in 2:08.01 ahead of World Champion and favourite Abel Kirui’s 2:08:27 while Kipsang who had led the race for most of the 42km clocked 2:09:37, coming short of their day’s plan of breaking the Late Samuel Wanjiru’s record of 2:06:32 set in Beijing.

The third Kenyan in the race and London Marathon record holder, Emmanuel Mutai finished in a disappointing 17^th to post a time of 2:14.49.

Kenya has now relinquished the continental top honour to South Africa who bagged 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze. Africa’s second best goes to archrivals Ethiopia who have 3 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze while Kenya settles for third place with 2 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze.