Budapest 23 - Day 9 | Meta Endurance

After a week of thrills and spills, we come to day 9, the final day. What shocks, surprises and dramas await?

Day 9 – The End

After 8 amazing days of high drama, incredible times and immense performances, it is time to draw the World Championships to a close on day 9. A day of finals will see if Jakob Ingrebrigsten can claim gold in the 5000m against some stiff competition. The battle of Moraa, Mu and Hodgkinson would be decided and the men would take on Budapest’s heat and humidity in the marathon.

Day 9: Men’s Marathon

If anything, the men’s event was more attritional than the women’s with nearly a quarter of the starting field recording a DNF. The heat and humidity again causing all manner of issues despite the quality of the entrants. After 26.2 miles on the loop of Budapest’s historic streets, Victor Kiplangat proved victorious, finishing the arduous course in a time of 2:08.53. Second place went to Maru Teferi of Israel in 2:09.12. Third place went to Leul Gebresilase of Ethiopia in 2:09.19.

Podium:

Victor Kiplangat 2:08.53

Maru Teferi 2:09.12

Leul Gebresilase 2:09.19

Day 9: Men’s 5000m Final

Jakob Ingrebrigsten’s chance to gain gold after being relegated to silver in the 1500m by Josh Kerr. A very strong field which included Katir, Ahmed, Aregawi and Kejelcha amongst others, set off to see who would be crowned the best in the world.

This time out, Ingebridgsten was set on conserving his energy allowing others to take the pace. Heading into the final lap, Katir and Ingebrigsten took the pace up a notch.

The Ethiopians who had been leading had no answer. The pair stayed together until the line when the Norwegian had the stronger of the kicks and crossed the line in 13:11.30. Gold and redemption achieved. Katir, silver, 13:11.44 and in bronze, we had Jacob Krop in 13:12.38. The first two men will see this as a salvation of their championships after disappointing earlier results.

Podium:

Jakob Ingebrigsten 13:11.30

Mohammed Katir 13:11.44

Jacob Krop 13:12.28

Day 9: Women’s 800m Final

Next up, the three greatest women in the world over two laps would discover who was truly the golden girl. After a rocky route to the finals, would Athing Mu make it a third global gold in a row? Could Keely Hodgkinson step out of her shadow to take the top spot? Or, would Mary Moraa fulfil her promise and grab the gold.

Mu led from the gun, her shoes sparkling in the Budapest floodlights. After a quiet year, did she have it in her to hold out for the whole 800? It appeared so until the final bend. She started to lag while Hodgkinson and Moraa made their moves. The Kenyan proved to be the stronger of the two, leaping over the line into her now customary victory dance, Moraa finished in a personal best 1:56.03. Hodgkinson would have to settle for silver again in 1:56.36 while Mu brought home Bronze in 1:56.61 (SB)

Podium:

Mary Moraa 1:56.03 (PB)

Keely Hodgkinson 1:56.36

Athing Mu 1:56.61 (SB)

Day 9: Women’s Steeplechase Final

With Beatrice Chepkoech the 2019 World Champion and world record holder leading the field, very few could keep in touch. One who could was Mutile Yavi of Bahrain. Keeping in touch until the final lap, she timed her challenge wonderfully. After finishing in the ever agonising fourth position in each of the last 2 world championships, bigger things awaited in Budapest.

Through the last lap, she closed the gap before pulling ahead when it mattered. The time, 8:54.29, a world lead and a wonderful way to take the gold. Chepkoech crossed the line over 4 seconds later and Kenya claimed a second medal in the event when Cherotich crossed the line in 9:00.69.

Podium:

Mutile Yavi8:54.29 (WL)

Beatrice Chepkoech 8:58.98 (SB)

Faith Cherotich 9:00.69 (PB)

Day 9: 4 x 400m Relay Finals

A tale of two favourites in the final event of the championships in Budapest. The American men, who made easy work of the event. Leading from first lap to line with Rai Benjamin taking the final leg to secure the win.

France had an excellent run to finish in second. Their time, 2:58.45, was also good enough to secure them the national record. Team GB took home bronze.

The women’s event was a more dramatic affair with Femke Bol leaving it until the dying strides of the event to claim gold for The Netherlands and her second of the championships. The first day in Budapest saw gold slip from her grasp after a fall in the last metres of the mixed relay. Today saw her redemption complete in a time of 3:20.72.

Her last gasp kick relegated the strong Jamaican team to silver in 3:20.88. Team GB took another relay bronze in 3:21.04. And with that, we bid Budapest farewell. What a week! See you in Paris?