London, 7 Aug: Rose Chelimo made history for Bahrain as she earned her country its first ever gold in the women’s marathon (6 Aug) at the World Championships in a slow-burning race that flared into dramatic life over the final seven kilometres as she won a personal duel with Kenya’s 2011 and 2013 winner Edna Kiplagat, who in turn secured silver by a stride from the fast-finishing US runner Amy Cragg.
In what was only her fourth marathon, the 28-year-old Chelimo finished in 2:27:11 after resisting what looked like a decisive break from her 37-year-old Kenyan rival inside the final mile and regaining a lead she would not relinquish.
As the leaders vied for gold, Cragg was engaged in a struggle for bronze with a second Kenyan, Flomena Cheyech Daniel, finding the energy to sprint clear as she reached the final stretch before the finish line on Tower Bridge.
Indeed, Cragg, her face set with effort, came within a metre of silver as she all but caught the flagging Kiplagat, who had been seeking an unprecedented third world marathon title, with both women clocking 2:27.18.
“I am very happy,” said Chelimo, who finished eighth at the Olympic Games last year. “I was not expecting to win today, I tried my best and I managed to become the world champion.
