American Runner Medals At Tokyo In Only Her Third Marathon – IOTW Report

American Runner Medals At Tokyo In Only Her Third Marathon

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In one of the most remarkable and unlikely runs ever by an American distance runner, Wisconsin native Molly Seidel earned a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic marathon, running 2:27:46 in the heat of Sapporo on Saturday morning. Seidel established herself near the front of the race early, and remained there throughout. Late in the race, Seidel was in a battle for bronze with Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, but with three miles to go, Salpeter stopped running, leaving Seidel in bronze-medal position, which she protected to the finish line.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the world record holder in the women’s-only half marathon, pulled away from teammate Brigid Kosgei, the marathon world record holder, in the final two kilometers to take the gold in 2:27:20. Kosgei settled for the silver in 2:27:36, her first loss in her her last five marathons.

The story for American distance running fans was Seidel, running in only her third marathon of her life (her first was the Olympic Trials marathon in 2020 to get here). Seidel beat five sub-2:20 women. She entered the race with a 2:25:13 personal best and yet was in the conversation for the gold until the final 2k. She joined American running legends Joan Benoit Samuelson (gold in 1984) and Deena Kastor (silver in 2004), as the only American women to medal in the Olympic marathon. More

2 Comments on American Runner Medals At Tokyo In Only Her Third Marathon

  1. I know I’m weird but I watch all the distance running events.

    Incredible run for this young American woman.
    It was so hot & humid and yet her running form never suffered.
    Tired of seeing coal-black Kenyans & skinny Ethiopians winning everything.

    She earned that Bronze Medal and was so happy at the end.
    I guarantee she would never consider taking a knee.
    She told her mom to drink a beer for her.
    I plan to raise a toast to her tonight!
    Way to go Molly!

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