Solomon Munyo Mutai started off Ugandas campaign in the 2015 World Championships early this morning in style with a bronze medal win in the mens marathon race in Beijing, China.
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The top three best finishers in the marathon race on Saturday morning in China.
Solomon Munyo Mutai started off Uganda\'s campaign in the 2015 World Championships early this morning in style with a bronze medal win in the men\'s marathon race in Beijing, China.
Although Stephen Kiprotich failed to defend his title, the 20-year Mutai made sure he kept close to the leading pack to win a bronze medal. Eritrea\'s 19-year old Ghirmay Ghebreslassie bagged the gold medal two hours 12 minutes and 27 seconds.
Mutai who settled for fourth-place finish at last year\'s Commonwealth Games in Scotland recorded a time of 2:13:30, while Kiprotich was in sixth place with a time of 2:14:43. Uganda\'s third runner in the race Jackson Kiprop was 10th.
Silver medalist Yemane Tsegay from Ethiopia came in with a lifetime best of 2:04:48, but that was in Rotterdam in 2012 and he has not been as fast since.
Later today three other Ugandan athletes Timothy Toroitich, Moses Kibet and Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei will compete in the final of the men\'s 10,000m.
Juliet Chekwel is the only female athlete on Uganda\'s 11-man team.
Ian Ssenoga
Freelancer