Vivian Cheruiyot bags bronze in marathon return as Ethiopians rule Paris

After more than three years away from competitive marathon racing, four-time Olympian Vivian Cheruiyot made a comeback in the classic distance with a third-place finish at this year’s Paris Marathon held on Sunday 7 April.

Pocket Rocket as the multiple world champion is commonly referred to, was lining up for her first marathon since 2019 when she finished her race in Valencia, clocking 2:21:47 to finish behind the Ethiopia duo of Mestawut Fikir (2:20:45) who was making her debut as was second-placed Enatnesh Tirusew (2:20:47).

Cheruiyot, the 2018 London Marathon winner in a personal best (PB) time of 2:18:31 and runner-up in the same year's New York Marathon, was the fastest on the field that also had a formidable Ethiopian contingent, led by Buzunesh Getachew, winner in Frankfurt last October in a 2:19:27, outside the podium placers.

Mark Otieno celebrates Team Kenya return in style

In the men’s race, Titus Kipruto who had stayed in the lead until the final kilometres of the race could not match Mulugeta Asefa Uma’s kick in the final stages and had to settle for silver as the Ethiopian bagged gold in a 2:05:33 PB.

Kipruto clocked 2:05:48 to finish ahead of veteran Elisha Rotich, who was returning to the marathon scene after a two-year absence. Rotich, the winner of the 2021 edition and holder of the event record with a time of 2:04:21, timed 2:06:54 for third, smiling to the podium as his course record remained intact.

 Men

Mulugeta Asefa Uma 2:05:33 (PB)

Titus Kipruto 2:05:48

Elisha Rotich 2:06:54

Women

Mestawut Fikir 2:20:45 (deb)

Enatnesh Alamrew Tirusew 2:20:47 (deb)

Vivian Cheruiyot 2:21:47