Marathon dream go up in smoke as Kenya fails to shine

Kenya suffered a horrendous heartbreak in the final day of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia after failing to win a medal in both the men and women marathon races as the curtains came down on the competitions.

In the women`s marathon, Namibian Helalia Johannes took top honours in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 40 seconds, ahead of  home favourites Lisa Weightman and Jessica Trengore who took silver and bronze respectively.

The Australian duo dominated the race  to clock 2:33.23 and 2:34.09 respectively as Kenya`s medal hopes went up in smoke after Sheilah Jerotich finished outside the medal bracket at fourth place in 2:36.19.

Her compatriot Shelmith Muriuki who fell at the beginning of the race finished 10th after stopping the timer at 2:47.53.

Hellen Nzembi dropped off the race tasking Jerotich and Muriuki with the title defence but it was not to be as the going got tough under the scorching conditions on the streets of Gold Coast.

In the men`s category, Australian Shelley grimaced and hurt towards the finish line under the boiling temperatures  to take gold.

For Shelly, it was a glorious gold won in the most unlikely of situations hitting the tape in 2:16.46, to claim the top honours.

Ugandan Solomon Mutai came second to settle for silver in 2:19.08 as Scottish Roby Simpson came out third in 2:21.52. Kenya`s Julius Karinga and Kenneth Mungara came ninth and tenth respectively, while Nicholas Kamakya finished at position 16.

For home boy Shelley it was a gift of sort, bagging the rights after leader Collins Hawkins of Scotland collapsed at 40km due to heat and dehydration.

Shelley clocked 2:16.46 ahead of Ugandan Solomon Mutai who stopped the timer at 2:19.02 and Robbie Simpson of Scotland who took bronze in 2:19.36.

” The Australians had prepared themselves well and they had expected us. They gave a strong challenge from the start and indicated that they wanted the gold. I could not keep with the pace after the 25km hence I decided to run in my own comfortable pace. The heat was too much and I felt that if I got greedy, the chance of not finishing the race were high,” said Karinga.

Karinga stopped the timer at 2:24.26 followed by Mungara, the two- time Gold Coast Airport Marathon winner in 2:25.42. Then about 14 minutes later, Kamakya, the 2011 Gold Coast Airport Marathon winner  crossed the finish line after stopping the timer at 2:40.18.

Meanwhile, Kenya wrapped up her campaign at the Club Games with 17 medals; 4 Gold, 7 Silver and 6 Bronze to finish 14th out of 71 nations that participated in the competition.