Paris 2024 Olympics: Benson Kipruto on why tackling the gruelling Olympic marathon course was not difficult

Paris 2024 Olympics: Benson Kipruto on why tackling the gruelling Olympic marathon course was not difficult

Abigael Wafula 10:00 - 12.08.2024

Benson Kipruto has explained why he did not find the marathon course at the Paris Olympics hard to conquer.

Benson Kipruto has explained why he did not struggle to earn the bronze medal in the men’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Kipruto explained that he travelled to Paris for the course visit in May and while training, he knew what awaited him on the Olympic stage. The marathon course was tough and marathon legends Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge struggled with the latter failing to finish the race.

Kipruto disclosed that in his training, he did uphill and downhill runs in preparation for the hilly course in Paris and his efforts paid off well with a bronze medal.

Former world champion Tamirat Tola won the race in style, clocking a new Olympic record of 2:06:26 as Belgium’s Bashir Abdi finished second in a stunning 2:06:47. Kipruto, the reigning Tokyo Marathon champion completed the podium, stopping the clock in an astonishing 2:07:00. Alexander Munyao, another Kenyan in the race finished distant 21st in a time of 2:10:31.

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“I was preparing for this Olympics under the same conditions, running up and downhill. So, I did some preparations uphill and downhill because I came here in May so I knew what to expect,” Kipruto said.

The Kenyan marathon star was off to a great start to his season, winning the Tokyo Marathon in a stunning 2:02:16, the fastest time in the world this year.

The 2022 Chicago Marathon champion was racing his second marathon at the Olympic Games and did not fail to impress. He has been impressive in his career and boasts of fast times and great finishes.

Kipruto was also part of the historic 2023 Chicago Marathon where the late Kelvin Kiptum broke the marathon world record, clocking 2:00:35. Kipruto finished third in the race.