Tamirat Tola Wins the Men's Marathon at Paris 2024

Good morning, fellow runner!

Because the Men’s Marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off this morning, I thought I might as well set up a special post just for this moment. I’m typing this out as I watch, and it’s 1:59am where I am right now. Hey, I’m excited!

Seeing all of these athletes right now is incredible. You’ve got the best of the best, from Benson Kipruto to Cameron Levins (Canadian hero!), and of course, Eliud Kipchoge. They’ve started at the Hôtel de Ville, and the athletes have a long ways to go.

The first 5km (3 miles)

Leaving the Musée de Louvre and leading the pack is Victor Kiplangat from Uganda at 15:40, with everyone right behind.

Something that is extremely vital to these athletes is to constantly check their blind spots and knowing where to go when picking up any fluids–every athlete has to go to their country’s booth to pick up their juices (a mix of every athlete’s concoctions like gels, water and carbs).

One thing that Kipchoge and his colleagues from Kenya are wearing is a cooling band on their foreheads. This is something that has been part of their greuling training, which could help with keeping their mental game strong and sticking to the pace and distance.

Honoring Kelvin Kiptum

Running near the very front is Benson Kipruto after the first checkpoint, and while he does say that it’s an honor to run for Team Kenya, he’s running to remember Kiptum, who broke the marathon record in Chicago 2023.

However, earlier this year, Kiptum died in a tragic car accident with his coach. So, for Team Kenya to run this for a legend, who could have been the next Kipchoge (or more), this is great recognizing great.

10km (6.2mi) in

In first place, so far, is Yang Shaohui from China at 30:59.

Around this time, it could be the moment when the pack starts to split, from the more vulnerable to the least. Because of the adrenaline that these athletes are feeling, you might see some who end up speeding way past the ones at the front, which tend to either keep going strong or, more likely, have them fall back after a few more miles on the road.

It’s not easy! You get that runner’s high, you feel like a million bucks. However, that could easily get you to drain your energy quick and fall behind. Steady, steady! Eyob Faniel from Italy is one who’s way ahead, so we’ll see where he ends up later on.

15km (9.3mi) in

Eyob Faniel is still in first, at around a 22-second lead from the rest of the pack that includes the elites.

This is the first big hill, similar to Boston’s Newton Hills. It’s a hard run up, and I can agree. Part of the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon’s route in April includes this big hill, and I had to run that at the 35 km mark! Brutal, but that finish line was rewarding.

Halfway point [21.1km/13.1mi]

Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia has now taken over as the runners near the Palace of Versailles, just a second ahead of Eyob Faniel. See? It’s so easy to get that adrenaline, but it eventually dies out. Connor Mantz is right behind in third. Where’s Kipchoge? Running in the back–but Kipruto is in 13th place!

Best part is, Kipchoge is just chatting away with another athlete. Could it mean he’s yet to pull off that big finish in the final quarter of the race? We’ll see. It seems like he’s grabbing his sides or his hip–could be a cramp.

25km (15.5mi) in

Japan’s Akira Akasaki is leading at 1:16:08, with Tola and his colleague, Deresa Geleta, right beside.

It seems like it won’t be Kipchoge’s day, seeing as he’s way behind the pack in 63rd place. Right now there’s a gamble between Japan, Ethiopia, Kenya and USA.

After all, in a competitive atmosphere such as this, it’s a major mental game. While it is physical, no doubt, for sure no doubt… having that commitment for an entirety of over 26 miles is crucial.

We’re getting closer to that finish line.

30km (18.6mi) in

Tola is in first at 1:31:12, 11 seconds ahead of Emile Cairess from Great Britain in second place. The final big hill has been completed, it’s all flat now with a solid decline for 3km (2mi). The race is on!

Funny enough, you would think that going on a decline would improve your pace, which it does! But be warned, running on a downhill does put much more pressure on your legs, which could lead to injury. Don’t be fooled!

35km (21.7mi) in

Tola is still in first, 17-18 seconds ahead of the second placer. This could be it, Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia could take home the gold! Fingers crossed there’s no wall to be hit.

Ah yes, the wall. These runners, at the pace they’re going at, could feel like they’d have to pull the weight of a whole new marathon at this distance. Try going at a 2:30 km pace, I dare you. Have you ever hit the wall in any race? Let me know by replying back to this email!

40km (24.9mi) in

The final stretch is here! Tola is in first at 2:00:02 with 25 seconds ahead of the rest, Abdi in second and Kipruto in third. It seems like the winner is clear in sight. They’ve just got 2 more kilometres to go.

Interestingly enough, Kipchoge has stepped out of the race. Apparently, he got in a van and gave his running shoes to some people in the crowd. At the age of 38, it’s still amazing for someone like him, a legend, to pull off a marathon like this.

However, a new winner will be named.

Tamirat Tola wins!

The man from Ethiopia has taken the gold in the Men’s Marathon with an Olympic Record of 2:06:26, ahead of everyone else. Bashir Abdi of Belgium has come in second with a time of 2:06:47, and Benson Kipruto of Kenya finishing in third at a time of 2:07:21. An incredible race with beautiful views of the City of Lights, it’s amazing to see that a new winner has been crowned.

Thanks for reading through this entire journey, and I hope you got to watch it as well. I can’t wait to discuss the rest of the race with you on Monday, which I’ll dive deeper into.

For now, kick off a run today. These legends from many countries have just completed a solid distance, you can shoot for at least 5km yourself 😉

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