Ethiopian Amane Beriso was in dominant form as she sailed to victory in the women’s marathon on another brutally hot day at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Saturday.
The 31-year-old pulled away from the pack on the last of four 10km laps and finished comfortably in front in 2:24.23. Coming in second was her compatriot and defending champion Gotytom Gebreslase who secured the silver in 2:24.34. Morocco’s Fatima Gardadi completed the African clean sweep by claiming her nation’s first ever medal in the event with bronze in 2:25.17.
“We knew if we worked together we could get a better result, and we worked well as a team today,” said Beriso, who last year ran the third fastest women’s marathon time in history in Valencia.
“We got the lead group down to six and then we pushed away with four of us. That was our plan because there was such a strong field. After we got rid of the rest, then it was a battle with my tough teammates.
“Gebreslase is a strong athlete and she wanted to defend her title. But all our team are strong. We wanted to win all three medals, of course, but that didn't go to plan in the end. We took gold and silver and we are happy with that.”
Speaking about the heat, Beriso added: “We expected the conditions to be tough and we prepared well for it. I know it is very hot but for me it was not so difficult. I wish we had started a bit earlier so we could have run a faster time.”
Despite relinquishing her world title, Gebreslase was simply thrilled for her teammate.
“The main goal was to bring home the gold. I am proud we (Ethiopians) are keeping the title,” she said. “I am also proud of Amane Beriso and personally I am really amazed I have won another medal at the World Championships.
While elated to have secured the bronze, Gardadi said it was not unexpected.
“I am very satisfied with the bronze medal. This is the beginning for my career. The result was not a surprise for me because I ran three times 2:25 this year, last time in Rabat, Morocco. The conditions there were the same as here in Budapest. I did not have any difficulties today. I came here to win a medal.
“I noticed the Moroccan supporters and the fan with the flag of my country running beside me. I am happy that the Moroccans supported me during the race and it was great that they were waiting to cheer me at the finish. I was fourth and then I noticed the Ethiopian not far from me, so I decided to win the bronze. and I made every effort to make it.”
There were five other Africans in the top 10 on Saturday with Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2:26:13) finishing fifth, the Kenyan duo of Rosemary Wanjiru (2:26:42) and Selly Chepyego Kaptich (2:27:09) sixth and seventh and the Eritrean pair of Nazret Weldu (2:27:23) and Dolshi Tesfu (2:28:54) ninth and 10th.
Meanwhile, just reaching the finish line was a victory for South Africa’s Irvette van Zyl, who was making her World Championships debut. Having dropped out of the marathons in both Tokyo in 2021 and London in 2012 and withdrawing from the Rio 2016 race before the start, the 36-year-old was all the more determined to reach the finish line in Budapest. That she did in a time of 2:38:32 to finish in 45th place.
“It felt really awesome. It was the main goal to cross the finish line. It was just proving to myself today that I can,” said the 50km world record holder afterwards. “I knew I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be but I just wanted to show to myself if I pitch up injury-free, I can cross the finish line. It was a bit of torture on the route but I really enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful route and overall I’m really pleased… I don’t think I had a plan today apart from survive and finish.”
Speaking about overcoming the steamy conditions, Van Zyl added: “I drank so much water and my own personal drinks and the sponges and chucked ice everywhere I could so you did feel it, and every water station you came to you were already thirsty. Overall it was hot but for everyone it was hot so I was just pleased I didn’t fall apart at the end and could finish strong.”
Tonight’s evening session will see South Africa gunning for glory in the men’s 4x100m relay at 9.40pm while Ivory Coast will aim to do the same in the women’s race at 9.53pm.
Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon will lead the African charge in the women’s 5000m final at 8.50pm looking to add to her 1500m gold.
Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela, Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyoni, and the Algerian pair of Slimane Moula and Djamel Sedjati will be in action in the men’s 800m final at 8.30pm.
