A sprint finish and disbelieving bronze: women’s marathon brings worlds thrills
Peres Jepchirchir denies Tigst Assefa to claim gold
Julia Paternain learns of medal after crossing the line
Julia Paternain wasn’t sure where she had finished after a punishingly hot women’s marathon at these World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. So, as she crossed the line, she asked an official.
The answer had Paternain, the world’s 288th-ranked marathon runner, staring back at him in disbelief. She had won a bronze medal, Uruguay’s first ever at a world athletics championships.