Jepchirchir leads Kenyan one-two in Olympic women's marathon

TOKYO: Kenya made a one-two finish in the women's marathon, with Peres Jepchirchir finishing the gruelling race ahead of world record holder Brigid Kosgei, in a time of two hours, 27 minutes and 20 seconds, her season's best time.

In the physically exhausting race in the hot and humid Sapporo weather, Peres, the two-time world half marathon champion was 16 seconds ahead of Brigid. American marathoner Molly Seidel, a relative newcomer to the marathon, took home the bronze in two hours 27 minutes 46 seconds.

"It feels good," said Peres after winning gold. "I'm so, so happy because we win as Kenya. First and second," she was quoted as saying by the Olympic channel.

"I thank my god so much. I'm happy for my family. I'm happy for my country, Kenya. I pushed on the pace (and when I opened the gap) it was like, 'wow, I'm going to make it. I'm going to win'." IANS

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