Tiki Gelana sets Olympic record in women’s marathon; Russia’s Tatyana Arkhipova edges Kenyan star for bronze

In a semi-shocker, Ethiopia's Tiki Gelana, who had never won a major world marathon, set an Olympic record on Sunday. Now her country is set up to sweep the women's distance running medals over rival Kenya.

Given that heavy rain led to a cautious first half,, plus Kenya's Mary Keitany having the mantle of running a devastating second half during the London Marathon fewer than four months ago, it's a pleasant surprise that Gelana won in an Olympic record two hours 23 minutes seven seconds ranks as a surprise. Along with Keitany, Kenya also sent out the defending world champion, Edna Kiplagat, along with Priscilla Jeptoo, who ended up taking the silver in 2:23:12.

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Russia's Tatyana Arkhipova, who narrowly missed a medal in steeplechase in the 2008 Olympics, prevented an East African sweep by edging Keitany for bronze. Kiplagat, who dropped back around the 35-km mark in the 42.195-km race, finished 20th.

The 24-year-old Gelana was the only Ethiopian up in the lead pack, but steadily outkicked Jeptoo over the final 3 km. Her win, coupled with Tirunesh Dibaba defending her Olympic 10,000-metre title on Friday, gives Ethiopia two victories on the women's side over the Kenyans, who enjoy a great global reputation for distance runners.

The result likely won't go over too well in Kenya, where Olympic medals are almost birthright. Kenya was also shut out entirely in the men's 10,000 on Saturday when Great Britain's Mo Farah and the United States' Galen Rupp finished 1-2, which only feeds the legend the country is cursed at that distance.

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Arkhipova outkicking Keitany for the bronze was also a revelation. The 29-year-old Russian, who finished in 2:23:29, took nearly two minutes off her personal best. It seems rather exceptional for someone who finished that high to come up with a PB.

Canada's Reid Coolsaet, Eric Gillis and Dylan Wykes compete in the men's marathon on Aug. 12, the final day of London 2012.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.

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