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Commonwealth Games: Ugandan runner opens medal table for Africa

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by

Abimbola Fabunmi
in

Ugandan runner, Victor Kiplangat has become the First African to win a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth games in Birmingham, UK.

The long-distance runner produced an impressive performance to give Uganda their first-ever Commonwealth Games marathon gold in Birmingham on Saturday.

Kiplangat took a wrong turn but still found his way to marathon gold providing some late drama to what had been an uneventful race.

After more than 40 kilometers of running through the twisting Birmingham streets, Kiplangat veered off course in the late stages but had built up such a commanding lead that the miscue did not cause any damage.

He posted a time of  2hr 10min 55sec, coming home with a broad grin on his face more than a minute and a half clear of Tanzania’s 2017 world bronze medallist Alphonce Felix Simbu.A delighted Michael Githae of Kenya wiggled his finger with a big smile at the spectators in the finishing straight as he took the bronze, more than two minutes behind the winner.Long-time pacesetter Luke Adams of Australia made a valiant effort at trying to give his country their third successive win in the event but had to settle for fourth.

The medallists, draped in their respective national flags, delighted the crowd gathered at the finish in central Birmingham by going over and chatting to them.

The women’s race was in its early stages with 41-year-old defending champion Helalia Johannes of Namibia confident she can win again.

Johannes is not the oldest runner in the small but select field as Australia’s Sinead Diver is 45, the oldest competitor in athletics at the Games.

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