Wanjiru claims marathon gold
Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru defied daunting conditions to comfortably win gold in the Olympic marathon.
Last Updated: 24/08/08 3:36am
Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru defied daunting conditions to comfortably win gold in the Olympic marathon in Beijing on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who is based for much of the year in Japan, crossed the line in an Olympic record of two hours six minutes minutes 32 seconds.
Morocco's Jaouad Gharib took the silver medal in 2hrs 7min 16secs with fast-finishing Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia third.
Wanjiru, who only made his marathon debut last year, broke clear just after 36 kilometres, after playing a major role in how the race developed.
Along with compatriot Martin Lel he ensured a fast pace in the first five kilometres which whittled the leading pack down to just eight - Spain's Cheme Martinez the only non-African.
Punishing
Just after 15km Wanjiru then put in a punishing burst which reduced the leading pack to five and saw them move through halfway in a very quick 1:02.34.
However, it was Gharib who settled the distribution of the medals when, just before 30km, the two-time world champion's spurt delivered a body blow, as he, Wanjiru and Merga drew away.
Wanjiru always looked the stronger of the trio and his breakaway should have left Gharib and Merga to fight it out for the silver medal, but the latter fell off the pace in the vital last two kilometres.
Britain's Dan Robinson finished 24th in 2:16.14.
