Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir left the rest of the field trailing to win the Olympic women’s marathon in searing temperatures here in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old, who is the current World Half Marathon champion, dominated over the closing stages to finish in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 20 seconds.
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, who is the marathon world record holder, came in 16 seconds later to take silver, with America’s Molly Seidel collecting bronze, under hot and humid condition which took toll on 14 runners from 12 countries.
The other Kenyan in the race Ruth Chepng’etich dropped out of the race just after 30km mark, while another medal hopeful, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel dropped out at the 38km stage.
Ethiopia’s Roza Dereje was the third African across the line in 4th spot in a time of 2:28.38, while Namibia’s Helalia Johaness was 11th in a personal best of 2:31.22.
Another Ethiopian Zeyneba Yimer, who was a last minute replacement for Tigist Girma , dropped from the race after 17km mark whereas her compatriot Birhane Dibaba left the course somewhere between 28 km mark.
Jepchirchir now succeeds fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong, who won in 2016 in Rio, and she also goes into record books as second Kenyan woman to win the Olympic Marathon.
Tokyo OlympicsWomen Marathon Top 10 finishers:
