Uganda’s Victor Kiplangat, finishing in 2h 08m 53s, stunned the field as he claimed his first major international victory in the men’s marathon at the World Championships in Athletics, held in Budapest. His triumph placed him atop the podium alongside Teferi of Israel and Gebresilase of Ethiopia, with the Spanish contenders finishing outside the medals though close to each other in the final standings (Tariku Novales at 21st, Ayad Lamdassem at 22nd, and Mohamed Chakir at 24th).
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An enormous Adri Ben remained eight percent of the bronze
The arc of the story revolves around the ascent of a 23-year-old marathon debutant who has carved a most unlikely path to the top. Kiplangat appeared in the 5,000 meters as a teenager, finishing 19th at the U20 World Championships in 2016, a result mirrored in his junior cross-country showing the following year. His trajectory then shifted toward mountain running, where he captured a world title in Premana in 2017. Half a decade later, he claimed the Commonwealth Games marathon title in 2022, and this year he ascended to the world stage with a memorable victory.
The crowd’s enthusiasm carried through the race, even in the early morning start. The event drew spectators despite the awkward hours, signaling that road racing has a growing public appeal. An unusual note was the rising heat—final stages reached near 28 degrees, with forecasts suggesting temperatures would push even higher on the race’s closing day.
Ayad Lamdassem led the Spanish squad, 41 years old, as the team pursued a solid finish after a promising Tokyo Games performance. The Spaniards, with İbrahim Chakir and Tariku Novales, stayed in touch for much of the race, while Meritxell Soler’s strong women’s performance a day earlier remained a benchmark for the program.
The race began with a fast start and an early surge from Ser-Od Bat-Ochir, a veteran who has become a recognizable figure in athletics. The Mongolian veteran led the main pack for the opening five kilometers, clocking a sub-three-minute first kilometer pace before the field consolidated and he fell back in the later stages. The tempo remained intense as the group pushed through the 10-kilometer mark and beyond.
The 10-kilometer checkpoint was reached in a time around 30:35, with Kiplangat taking the lead as the Africans formed the core of the front-runners. Lamdassem and Chakir remained within striking distance for a long stretch as Novales tried to find a late surge. The heat continued to exert pressure, but Kiplangat kept the pace steady, maintaining a slight edge as the race moved toward the final stages. The temperature stayed elevated and the competition grew increasingly tactical as athletes navigated the heat and the challenging city course.
Chiapellini, an Italian competing with Ethiopian roots, briefly led around the 25th kilometer before Kiplangat strengthened his grip on the race. The Ugandan’s surge continued into the approaches of Avenida Andrassy and the nearby metro area, where Lamdassem finally slipped back as Chakir pressed on. The heat and fatigue took their toll, and the field began to fracture as Kiplangat pushed clear with a small group close behind.
A dramatic late push saw Kiplangat extend his lead, backed by Gebresilase and a group of hopefuls as the finish line approached. The race, marked by a mix of tactical moves and bursts of speed, concluded with Kiplangat clinching the gold in 2 hours 8 minutes 53 seconds. Teferi took silver in 2:09:12, and Gebresilase earned bronze in 2:09:19, signaling a strong performance by Uganda on the global stage. Lamdassem finished 22nd, Chakir 24th, with Novales recording 21st and posting a time just off the medals pace. These results highlighted the broad competitiveness across regions and the evolving depth of the marathon field.
As Kiplangat celebrated on the podium with the Ugandan flag, the moment underscored his rise from a little-known junior athlete to a world-level champion. The spectacle in Budapest reinforced the enduring appeal of long-distance running and the value of perseverance, as the winner crossed under the Andrassy Avenue footbridge and stepped onto the ceremonial finish area amid cheers from a crowded plaza. The gold-medal time stood at 2:08:53, with Teferi earning silver in 2:09:12 and Gebresilase securing bronze in 2:09:19, a testament to the grueling demands and sheer grit required to excel at the sport.
The Spanish squad saw Novales finish in 21st place with a time of 2:12.39, Lamdassem in 22nd at 2:13.44, and Chakir in 24th, closing the competitive trio. In the broader field, Yamashita from Japan placed 12th and marked a notable performance among the international contenders. Kiplangat’s victory added to his growing list of achievements, including Commonwealth honors and a history in mountain racing, punctuating a remarkable journey from ascent to the pinnacle of marathon racing.