DPA/Beijing


Eritrean teenager Ghirmay Ghebreslassie finished strong in the men’s marathon on a hot morning to claim the first gold medal at the 2015 World Athletics Championships yesterday.
Ghebreslassie, 19, caught up with long-time leader Tsepo Mathibelle of Lesotho and then held off a challenge from Ethiopia’s Yemane Tsegay to win in two hours, 12 minutes and 28 seconds at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium.
Tsegay took silver in 2:13:08 and the bronze went to Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai in 2:13:30.
Ghebreslassie is the youngest marathon winner in World Championships history, and also brought Eritrea its first gold at the Worlds. His previous best result was a second-place finish at the Hamburg marathon in April.
Perennial long distance powerhouse Kenya met with disaster, with Mark Korir their best in 22nd place as world record-holder Dennis Kimetto and Wilson Kipsang Kirotich did not finish in the difficult conditions. Olympic champion and title-holder Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda placed sixth.
Ghebreslassie, meanwhile, was not bothered by the conditions as he captured first place in only his fourth career marathon.
“Today’s weather was very nice. I grew up in similar conditions,” he said. “I am proud of this victory. It is a very special thing for our (Eritrea’s) history.
“I decided at kilometre 34 to leave the group,” he said, explaining his tactic to push his rivals.
Tsegay said he eventually had to let Ghebreslassie go because “the weather affected me”.
“I had so many problems and couldn’t go with him. It was not only hot but windy. I had a chance for gold but I am happy with silver,” he said.
Ghebreslassie recalled that his parents initially were not happy with his running career because they wanted him to focus on education.
“My parents wanted me to be a great student, but I wanted to be a great athlete. Today’s victory will be a great surprise for them,” he said.
Nearly all the runners were confused at the finish line, seemingly not aware beforehand that they would only run 100 metres inside the stadium and not an additional lap.
Another faux pas saw several athletes delayed for their events because Chinese organisers had not set up alternative bus routes after roads were closed for the marathon race.
Team officials said angry hammer throwers, 100-metre and 800-metre runners saw time running out ahead of their heats and qualifiers, as it took them more than an hour to get to the Bird’s Nest stadium from their hotels, instead of the regular 15-20 minutes.
Several roads around the stadium were closed because they formed the last part of the marathon course, and there had been no dedicated alternative routes, according to the officials.