Despite missing out on gold in both the men’s and women’s marathon events at the Paris Olympics, Kenya’s national athletics coach, Julius Kirwa, remains confident that the country’s dominance in the 42km race at major championships is still strong. While Kenya didn’t claim the top spot on the podium, Kirwa believes the results show that Kenya remains a formidable force in global marathon running.
In the men’s marathon, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola secured gold, setting an Olympic record with a time of 2:06:26. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi finished second in 2:06:47, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto claimed bronze with a time of 2:07:00. Although Kipruto’s third-place finish kept Kenya on the podium, it marked a rare miss for a nation known for its marathon dominance in major global competitions.
Other Kenyan athletes had a challenging outing in Paris. London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao finished 21st with a time of 2:10:31, while two-time Olympic gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge, regarded as one of the greatest marathoners in history, had a rare off day, failing to complete the race (Did Not Finish).
In the women’s marathon, the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan took gold, finishing in 2:22:55. She was closely followed by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who claimed silver with a time of 2:22:58. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri delivered a strong performance to win bronze, finishing in 2:23:10, narrowly missing out on silver. Sharon Lokedi also performed well, finishing just off the podium in fourth place. However, defending Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir struggled in this race, finishing 15th with a time of 2:26:51.
Despite the challenges faced by Kenya’s top marathoners in Paris, coach Julius Kirwa remains optimistic about the country’s position in the global marathon scene. “We secured podium finishes in both the men’s and women’s races, even though we didn’t defend our titles. The competition was incredibly tough, but these results show that Kenya is still a major force in marathon running,” said Kirwa. “We can’t always win gold, but the fact that we were in contention shows our strength.”
One of the key factors that impacted Kenya’s performance in Paris was the tough race conditions. The marathon course in Paris was particularly challenging, with numerous uphill sections that proved difficult for many athletes. “The course was very tough, with long uphill stretches that required a lot of stamina and strength,” Kirwa explained. “Additionally, the humidity in Paris was higher than what many of our athletes are accustomed to, which affected their overall performance.” Despite these challenges, Kirwa stressed that Kenya’s marathon runners remain highly competitive and capable of performing at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Kirwa is focused on the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he hopes Kenya will reclaim the marathon titles they last held in London in 2017 for the men’s race and in Doha in 2019 for the women’s race. Kenya last won the men’s marathon at the World Championships in 2017, when Geoffrey Kirui took gold with a time of 2:08:27. In the women’s race, Ruth Chepngetich was the last Kenyan to win gold, claiming victory at the 2019 Doha World Championships with a time of 2:32:43.
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Kirwa believes early preparation will be key to success in Tokyo. “We need to start preparing early for the 2025 World Championships,” he said. “Other countries are closing the gap, and we need to be ready. We’ll focus on building strong team strategies and ensuring that our athletes are well-prepared.”
One of the critical components of this preparation, according to Kirwa, will be cross-country training. He emphasized that cross-country training is essential for building the strength, stamina, and endurance needed to tackle tough marathon courses. “Cross-country training will be very important for our marathon athletes,” Kirwa explained. “It helps build speed, strength, and endurance, all of which are crucial for success in marathon running.”
While the Paris Olympics presented significant challenges for Kenya’s marathoners, Kirwa is confident that the country will bounce back and continue its legacy of marathon dominance. Kenya has a long history of success in marathon events, with athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, Brigid Kosgei, and Peres Jepchirchir making their mark on the global stage. Kirwa believes that with the right preparation, Kenya will remain at the forefront of marathon running for years to come.
“As a nation, we have a strong history in marathon running, and we will continue to be a dominant force,” Kirwa said. “We’ve faced challenges before, and we’ve always come back stronger. Our athletes have the talent, and with proper preparation and strategy, we will continue to excel on the global stage.”
Kirwa is optimistic about Kenya’s chances at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, a region where Kenyan athletes have traditionally performed well. “Asia has always been a strong region for our athletes,” he noted. “We’re confident that with the right preparation, Kenya will deliver strong results at the 2025 World Championships.”
With a focus on early preparation, cross-country training, and strategic teamwork, Kirwa remains confident that Kenya’s marathon legacy will continue to thrive, and the nation will once again rise to the top on the global stage.
