Michael Shelley seemed surprised. The Australian had just done the unthinkable, dumping the pre-race calculations, getting to the finish line ahead of a challenging and world class pack.
And, in bagging the gold medal in a gruelling men’s marathon, the 30-year-old not only came away with a personal best, but also dented Kenyan and African pride to provide a terrific start to the athletics events of the 20th Commonwealth Games. .
Shelley found the courage to attack the lead pack soon after the 35km mark, and was rewarded. He held an 11-second lead over Kenyan Stephen Chemlany at the 40km-mark, and strode to victory with a personal best 2:11:15.
Chemlany finished second at 2:11:58 before Abraham Kiplimo (Uganda) came in third at 2:12:23.
The rain, seemed to provide the runners with a perfect platform to go the distance at the start.
Shelley later said, “I have got to pinch myself; it is very exciting. To win my first major and that too from such a classy field, is indescribable.”
Shelley is the first Australian to win the event since Steve Moneghetti at Victoria in 1994.
The women’s race had so such drama as the two Kenyans in the fray, Flomena Daniel Cheyech and Caroline Kilel made it a one-two for their country.
Later, in the lone track final of the day, World indoor champion Caleb Ndiku ran an impressive last lap to take the 5,000m gold medal in 13:1.20. Compatriot Kiplangat Isiah Koech was second in 13:14.06 even as Kiwi Zane Robertson (13:16.52) slipped past Joseph Kiplimo Kitur to avert a Kenyan sweep.
The race which had a quality field was run on expected lines, with the Kenyan runners, led by Koech, pacing the earlier laps at an average of around 65 seconds each. Canadian Mohammed Ahmed and the Kiwi brothers Zane and Jake kept their faster rivals in range, and were joined by Australian Collis Birmingham midway through.
Jake was the first to attack as he steadily worked himself into the lead and stayed right there for almost two laps before the Kenyans sensed trouble and fought back to the front.
The New Zealander was unfortunate to slip and fall as he tried to get back, but the Kenyans were in firm control now.
With two laps remaining, Ndiku and Koech stepped up the pace to pull away from Zane who was now running shoulder to shoulder with Kitur.
Nearing the bell, Ndiku shook off Koech, and a final lap of 54s meant the gold was his.
The results: Marathon: Men: 1. Michael Shelley (Aus) 2:11:15, 2. Stephen Chemlany (Ken) 2:11:58, 3. Abraham Kiplimo (Uga) 2:12:23.
Women: 1. Flomena Daniel Cheyech (Ken), 2:26:45, 2. Caroline Kilel (Ken) 2:27:10, 3. Jess Trengove (Aus) 2:30:12.
