By Jimmy Patrick Alunyo
The NN Mission Marathon was held n Enschede, the Netherlands featuring the 2012 Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. This was the final marathon ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
After his heroic win at the London 2012 Olympics, Ugandan born long-distance runner Stephen Kiprotich was in action today alongside the likes of Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), Jonathan Korir (KEN),Goitom Kifle (ERI), Geoffrey Kusuro (UGA), Mathew Sang (KEN), Filex Chemonges (UGA), Hiskel Tewelde (ERI), Marcin Chabowski (POL), Adam Nowicki (POL), in what is likely to be the final marathon before the Tokyo 2021 Olympics in Japan.
In the results for this NN Mission Marathon, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya came in position number one in 2:04:30, followed by his Kenyan team mate Jonathan Korir in 2:06:40 in second, and Goitom Kifle of Eritrea in 2:08:07. Philemon Kacheran of Kenya crossed the line in fourth place in 2:08:45 but was a designated pacemaker so his performance does not officially count. This made Stephen Kiprotich who finished fifth in 2:09:04, take over fourth position.
Another promising Ugandan athlete in Filex Chemonges finished seventh in 2:09:59, behind Kenyan Mathew Sang with 2:09:54.
With the Tokyo Olympics around the corner, we wait to see how many gold medals Uganda will bring back home this time.