Unfavourable weather in Beijing turned to be the spoiler in the men’s Marathon final of the 15th IAAF World Championship in its starting day where Sri Lankan marathoner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray finished in 29th position with a time of 2 hours 25 minutes 03 seconds.
The race was won by little known teenager from Eritrea Ghirmay Ghebresalassie, 19 with a time of 2 hours 12 minutes and 27 seconds. Ghebresalassie successfully kept his lead after beating Ethiopian Yemane Tsegayu to become youngest ever world Marathon winner. Ghebresalassie and Tsegayu ran shoulder to shoulder in the last 5 km. Tsegayu finished second (2:13.07 min) while Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai finished third (2:13.29min).
The Beijing heat was around 27-31 degrees Celsius during the race and It was unbearable for most of the world’s top runners.
Both the incumbent record holder Dennis Kimetto and immediate former record holder Wilson Kipsang of Kenya did not finish as they both gave up the race after the 30Km mark; while 25 other athletes too did not finish the marathon as well.
“The heat was unbearable and after warming-up I sensed that and told Sajith sir (Team Manager) that I’m running to finish this.” said Cooray who was disappointed about the weather which he couldn’t control.
Cooray, 37 who lives in London will now look to clock a better timing in the next Frankfurt Marathon on 25 October where he will be eyeing to better his national record.
“My Target was to clock 2 hours and 11 minutes and planned to take this as a time trial in preparation for Rio Olympics “said Cooray who had already achieved Olympic A Grade qualification as he clocked the new National record of 2 hours 13 minutes and 47 seconds at the last London Marathon.
“I will skip the Amsterdam Marathon which is to be held on 18 October and focus on Frankfurt “added Cooray.
Cooray was slow from initial stages as he went into the 47th position in the first 5 km and was placed 45th at the 25km mark. From there increasing his speed a bit in the last 10 km he moved up from 40th position to be placed 29th.
“Muscles began to pain from the heat and unlike others my arms were paining and it was hard to move them.” described Cooray who was feeling the pain and disappointment after the race.
Meanwhile, the winner Ghebresalassie stated that since he grew up in similar weather conditions the world championship marathon being placed in his hand now he would keep his eye on the Rio Olympic medal even though this is only his 4th race. This was also Eritrea’s second world medal so far.
Ironically there were no Kenyan athletes in the first 20 places while there were only three Ethiopian runners; that was very unusual in a modern day world marathon as these two countries dominate long distance running in each and every race they take part in this era. Also to be noted is the fact that none of the athletes could match their personal best marks. That shows the magnitude of the effect from the weather and an earlier start could have given some comfort for runners which they do in many international marathons but it wasn’t the case in the Chinese Capital yesterday.
