LONDON (AP) — Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda surged ahead late in the race to win the Olympic marathon and capture the first medal for his country at the London Games.
Kiprotich finished in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 1 second Sunday, holding off the Kenyan duo of Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang. Kirui finished 26 seconds behind Kiprotich, while Kipsang, the leader most of the race, faded late but held on for bronze just ahead of American runner Meb Keflezighi.
On a warm afternoon, the marathoners wound their way through a scenic route packed with swarms of fans.
The Kenyans competed in memory of the late Sammy Wanjiru. Four years ago in Beijing, Wanjiru captured the country’s first Olympic marathon gold. He died last year after a fall from a balcony during a domestic dispute.
