"Julia Paternain wasn't sure where she had finished after a punishingly hot women's marathon at these World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. So, as she crossed the line, she asked an official. The answer had Paternain, the world's 288th-ranked marathon runner, staring back at him in disbelief. She had won a bronze medal, Uruguay's first ever at a world athletics championships."
"When I came on to the track, I couldn't see a soul, she admitted. I had no idea where I was. I knew I was top eightish, I was too scared to look behind me because I didn't want to get caught. I was trying to check with the officials that it was definitely the finish. And I didn't really want to think that there was a medal, just in case there wasn't. I'm just in shock, really."
"Meanwhile Paternain worked her way steadily through the field from about 12th at halfway to finish third in 2:27.23. It was my second marathon, and to be honest, she said. I was just trying to get from A to B and get to the finish line without my legs giving way."
Julia Paternain finished third in the women's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, earning Uruguay's first ever world championships medal. Paternain asked an official at the finish because she was unsure of her placing after a punishingly hot race. Peres Jepchirchir won in 2:24:43, two seconds ahead of Tigst Assefa. Paternain moved from about 12th at halfway to finish third in 2:27.23. Paternain was born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents, moved to England when her father taught at Cambridge, was raised in Britain, and previously won two English schools championships.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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