Kenya’s fortunes at the World Athletics Championships continued to dwindle after the team missed a gold medal for the fourth successful day of the global event. 

Kenya’s Judith Jeptum Korir produced a spectacular performance to win Kenya’s third silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States.

Korir held on to Gotytom Gabreselase before the latter broke away with a few minutes remaining to win Ethiopia, Kenya’s archrival, its third gold.

The marathon started at a higher pace with a number of athletes among them three Kenyans and three Ethiopians breaking away from the rest at the 15km mark.

Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich dropped out of the race mid-way due to unknown reasons. The 2021 Chicago Marathon winner appeared to be in pain when cameras zoomed in on her.

At the 28km mark, Kenya’s Angela Tanui slowed down leaving Korir to battle it out with Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gabreselase. The duo passed the 30km mark at 1:38:08.

Gotytom, who is the reigning Berlin marathon champion, ran a well calculated race. She was toe to toe with Korir before breaking away in the final 600m reaching the tape in  2:18:11.

Korir crossed the finishing line in a personal best time of 2:18:20, with Kenyan-born Israel international Lonah Chemtai Saltpeter settling for the bronze medal.

For the first time in years, Kenya failed to win a world championship gold medal in both the men’s and women’s marathon.

Race favorite Peres Jepchirchir who is the reigning world half marathon champion did not take part in the race after picking up an injury a few days before the team departed for Oregon.

Kenyan athletes will be seeking to end the gold medal drought on Tuesday morning when reigning Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon and Winny Chebet line up in the 1500m final.

Leonard Bett, Abraham Kibiwott and defending champion Conseslus Kipruto will also take part in the 3,000m men’s steeplechase final.

The 1,500m women’s final will take place at 0520hrs while the 3,000m steeplechase is slated for 0550hrs East African time.

They will be aiming to reclaim Kenya’s glory in the distance, having lost the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games to the Ethiopians.