Kiplangat delivers Uganda’s first Commonwealth Games marathon gold

Victor Kiplangat became the first Ugandan to win a gold medal in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games which have been in existence for the past 92 years.

During the games in the English city of Birmingham, the 22-year-old Ugandan runner surprised many when he went the wrong way as he risked losing out on the first place despite having led the race.

However, since he had built up a lengthy lead, the Ugandan long-distance specialist was able to recover and turn to the rightful track.

A few minutes later he organized himself against and won the race after clocking a time of 2hrs 10min 55sec to beat Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu by a minute and half.

Kenya’s Michael Mugo Githae completed the podium places. 

Speaking about the win, Kiplangat said he had been misled by motorcycles ahead of him during the race.

“The people riding the motorcycles were confusing me. They told me to turn back but I still made it to the finish. I feel so happy to have won. Thanks to all the fans for cheering me on. I was feeling fatigue in my legs but the crowd were cheering me on and they gave me courage,” Kiplangat said shortly after the race.

By winning gold during the games in Birmingham, the 22-year-old become the first Ugandan to reach the feat.

“I believe Uganda is proud of me today. We have been waiting for this,” he said.

The Ugandan long-distance runner was however short of breaking the long-standing record of 2. 09.12 set by England’s Ian Thompson in Christchurch in 1974.

Kiplangat said if he had not veered off the track, he would have broken Thompson’s record.