By Javier Silas Omagor
A sweet tactful run has culminated in a debut gold medal win for Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo.
The 21- year- old was running at the Great North Run 2022 in the English city of Newcastle in the UK on Sunday.
Kiplimo came home at 59:32 after outrunning Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega and Kenneneisa Bekele.
Barega, the reigning Olympics Champion over 10000m and decorated Bekele could not cope with the explosive starlet.
The Ethiopian pair settled for silver and bronze.
Being the World Half Marathon Champion and Record holder, Kiplimo went into the race as favorite.
The Kween district born star lived to his billing when he bossed the 21 kilometer distance from start to finish.
Winning for the Queen
Kiplimo in his post race exclusive interview with Kampala Sun his win to the fallen Queen, Elizabeth II.
“The Queen loved us all. She adored sports and always wanted the best for all,” Kiplimo stated.
He continued: “I wanted glory today and that is because I wanted to win for the Queen and the entire Royal Family including all the Commonwealth community around the world.”
Peter Chelangat, Kiplimo’s coach watched his runner in total satisfaction.
“All that we planned for in the training was executed well on road and I thank him for that.
“Now we will travel back to Uganda to continue training,” Chelangat said.
This is Kiplimo’s third gold within a period of a month on English soil.
Earlier, Kiplimo won two Gold medals for Uganda in the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham City.
Then, he competed in the 5000m and 10000m events.
Two weeks before flying for Commonwealth, Kiplimo was in Oregon, US whence he claimed World Athletics Championships bronze medal in 10000m.
He is also the World Half Marathon Champion as well as Record holder.
The Rosa Associati management agency icon is also the EDB Lisbon and RAK Dubai Half Marathons defending Champion.
The soft spoken speedy runner is steadily but fast cementing his position as the best half marathon runner ever in the world.
