Kiprotich stuns Kirui, puts Uganda on world map

Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich stunned a strong Kenyan team to win the men’s Olympic marathon on Sunday, handing his east African nation only their second ever gold medal. Kiprotich timed 2hr 08min 01sec on the spectacular course around the streets of central London, with two-time defending world champion Abel Kirui claiming silver in 2:08.27. Another Kenyan, long-time leader Wilson Kipsang, took bronze in 2:09.37. It was Uganda’s second ever gold medal after John Akii-Bua won the 400m hurdles in the 1972 Games in Munich, with the east African country’s only other medal a bronze from 400m runner Davis Kamonga in 1996. “I am very happy to win a medal for my country,” beamed Kiprotich. “I love my people. Uganda are very happy because we haven’t won a medal in marathon races. “The pace was too fast and I knew I could not run away from them so I just had to keep up with them (Kipsang and kirui).”