RIO DE JANEIRO —
Kipchoge, who finished in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 44 seconds, is a former world champion at 5,000 meters, and he has Olympic silver and bronze medals from the 2008 and 2004 Olympics. He also is a two-time winner of the
Rupp's medal continues the strong U.S. presence in track and field at these Games — 32 medals — particularly in middle distance and distance races. He is the firtst US-born runner to medal in the Olympics marathon in 40 years.
Rupp, 30, spent nearly the entire race among the first pack, stride for stride with several international front-runners from Kenya and Ethiopia, before joining Kipchoge and Lilesa in the lead group for the race’s final stretch in a three-man push for gold.
Slowly and steadily, he weaved his way through the competition. Rupp sat in 11th at the midway point of the marathon, eighth after 25 kilometers and fifth after 30 kilometers before making his way into the top three.
He had entered Rio with a bold quest: to medal in both the 10,000 meters and the marathon, the two most demanding distances races in the Summer Games. He ended up fifth in the 10,000, but he adds this marathon bronze to the 10K silver he won in London in 2012.
The last American to attempt the 10,000 and the marathon in the same Olympics was Dan Browne at the 2004 Athens Games. He finished the events in 12th and 65th, respectively.
#BRONZE a NEW personal best for @G_Rupp!! 🇺🇸@usatf is bringing home its first men's marathon medal in 12 YEARS! 👏 pic.twitter.com/d1bzFfbIdP
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 21, 2016
