Uganda's Marathon Trio Aims for Historic Finish at Paris Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics are nearing their conclusion, and Uganda's hopes rest on the shoulders of a trio of female marathon runners. Stella Chesang, Merycline Chelangat, and Rebecca Chelangat are set to compete in the women's marathon final on Sunday morning, representing Uganda's final act at the Games.

This marks the first time that Uganda has filled all three quota slots for the women's marathon at the Olympics. While the bookmakers don't favor them for a medal, given the strength of the Kenyan and Ethiopian entries, the Ugandan trio is determined to make their mark on the 42.195km course that winds through Paris, starting at Hôtel de Ville and finishing at the Esplanade des Invalides.

The Road to Paris

The trio arrived in Paris on Wednesday, accompanied by their male counterparts, Victor Kiplangat, Stephen Kissa, and Andrew Kwemoi, who are scheduled to compete in the men's marathon on Saturday.

Each of the women has a unique story leading up to Paris. Merycline Chelangat has battled leg problems for much of 2024, which have hindered her training and competition. She hasn't raced since finishing seventh at the Kolkata 25K in India in December. However, she feels she's on the mend and ready to give it her all in Paris.

Chesang, on the other hand, is better prepared, having secured a fourth-place finish at the Osaka Women's Marathon in January with a time of 2:23:36. She also holds Uganda's national record of 2:20:23, set during the 2023 Hamburg Marathon.

Rebecca Cheptegei, meanwhile, has had a strong run-up to Paris. She returned to Japan after recovering from her leg injury and won the Gifu Half-Marathon in April. She then closed out her preparations with a second-place finish at the Corrida Internationale de Langueux 10K in France in June.

Facing a Tough Field

The Ugandan trio faces a formidable field of 94 women, including several contenders for the podium. Leading the pack is Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, the current world record holder with a time of 2:11:53, achieved at the Berlin Marathon last year. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, the second-fastest woman in the world with a time of 2:13:44 from the Chicago Marathon last October, is also a serious threat.

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic champion, is looking to defend her title. She'll be joined by fellow Kenyans Sharon Lokedi, the 2022 New York Marathon champion, and Hellen Obiri, the two-time 5000m world champion who recently won her second Boston Marathon title.

Other notable contenders include Bahrain's Rose Chelimo and Eunice Chumba, both Kenyan-born; Honami Maeda of Japan, Asia's fastest marathon runner; and Fatima Gardadi of Morocco, the 2023 world bronze medalist.

Key Factors for Success

While a podium finish might be a tall order, the Ugandan trio is aiming for a historic top-10 placing. They will need to manage the seven drink points along the course and adapt to the morning weather conditions. The experience of competing at the highest level will be crucial, and their collective determination could propel them to a remarkable performance.

Team Uganda's Final Push

The women's marathon final is the last event for Team Uganda at the Paris Olympics. The final day of competition will also see Oscar Chelimo compete in the men's 5000m final on Sunday evening.

The marathon final is a fitting finale for Uganda's participation in the Games. The trio's journey to Paris has been marked by challenges and triumphs, and their performance will showcase the resilience and talent of Ugandan athletics. As they line up at the starting line, they will carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders, striving for a memorable finish and a moment of national pride.

The Legacy Continues

The women's marathon final is a reminder of Uganda's long and proud tradition in distance running. From the legendary Stephen Kiprotich's gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics to the successes of Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo on the world stage, Uganda has consistently produced world-class athletes.

The performance of the trio in Paris will be a testament to the spirit of Ugandan athletics, a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate the world.