Ugandan runner, Victor Kiplangat has become the First African to win a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth games in Birmingham, UK.
The long-distance runner produced an impressive performance to give Uganda their first-ever Commonwealth Games marathon gold in Birmingham on Saturday.
Kiplangat took a wrong turn but still found his way to marathon gold providing some late drama to what had been an uneventful race.
After more than 40 kilometers of running through the twisting Birmingham streets, Kiplangat veered off course in the late stages but had built up such a commanding lead that the miscue did not cause any damage.
The medallists, draped in their respective national flags, delighted the crowd gathered at the finish in central Birmingham by going over and chatting to them.
The women’s race was in its early stages with 41-year-old defending champion Helalia Johannes of Namibia confident she can win again.
Johannes is not the oldest runner in the small but select field as Australia’s Sinead Diver is 45, the oldest competitor in athletics at the Games.