The Paris Olympics has been giving stunning surprises; on its last day, nothing goes off the route. Since the emergence of the modern Olympics, the men’s marathon has been the last act. But to epitomize gender parity, this time the hosts have made the women’s marathon the grand finale. It is quite symbolic as in the past, a large chunk of women athletes had to fight to get their rights to step in the marathon, but it came late, in the 1984 Olympics. Now, today the denouement proves that time has advanced. However, several big names will grace the marathon today, and watch out for Emily Sisson and Sifan Hassan! 

Sifan Hassan is doing almost everything in the middle-distance and long-distance running at this Olympics. She entered 5000m and 10000m as the defending champion and still holds enough firepower to compete in the marathon today. Michael Johnson has already sent his regards to her. On the other hand, Emily Sisson will take the field as one of the three American women this time. Three years ago, she couldn’t cut the trial qualification. But this time, Emily will be up for giving a strong opposition in the already stacked marathon. 

Women’s category:

Sinead Diver is in today’s marathon- she is 47 and yet running with all her might!

This time Kathrine Switzer, the first female marathoner to run in the Boston Marathon, came down here to show the flag at the Paris Olympics marathon.

Clayton Young is sharing that he personally spoke with Emily Sisson last night and told her about holding the patience, as that could be the only soul saver today to get over with the hills.

Sinead Diver is grappling with injury now and the Australian camp is facing the pressure now.

Hellen Obiri, the Tokyo Olympic medalist and the only woman to win global titles in indoor and outdoor track and cross country is on the second rank right now. The heat is staggering, and there are ample arrangements (fluid stations) to supply the packaged water.

Fiona O’Keeffe has already bowed out from the race. So, now the responsibility is on Emily Sisson and Dakotah Lindwurm to earn something from this Olympic marathon. The overwhelming temperature is touching 67 degrees and is expected to go over by several more.

Now, Chelimo Joan Melly looks to come under the heat as she has already stopped and shaking her head. The world record holder Tigst Aseefa is leading the pack while Beriso Amane is in second place. Notably, Tigst has moved to the marathon in 2022 and the Ethiopian athlete is looking to take over the reign already. After Tamirat Tola, could she be the one today?

Peres Jepchirchir is running with water bottles and ice packs- certainly the new view at this Olympics! but in the weather crisis, it could be the new normal! She is the current record holder in this event.

Emily is in 23rd position and trying her best to grapple with the weather. Clayton said initially that he had advised her to take the intermissions smartly.

Sifan Hasan moved to this event after winning two bronzes in her previous two- 5k and 10k running. She is in the 34th position and slowly moving ahead.

The 15k mark has been hit and Hellen Obiri is leading and Jepchirchir is chasing her.

Sifan Hassan is in the 14th position now, although the weather is still creating a ruckus. Dakotah Lindwurm has crossed the 20k mark now, and she is in the chasing group, with 19 others.

Dakota Lindwurm is gaining speed as she is in third position now. Several American flags are along the line to cheer her up. As of now, Jessica Stenson is the leader.

At the half mark, Dakotah Lindwurm is now leading the event. She is quite ahead of the pack now. The event is already 1 hr and 20 mins old and she and Julien Melody are now huddling to keep the positions.

Sifan Hassan’s headgear is turning eyes. Yesterday several runners, including Eliud Kipchoge, wore that. It is basically a cooling band that is apt to keep the temperature at the forehead in check. It is because of the high temperature on the route.

Lindwurm is losing speed. She is currently in the 5th position, running neck-to-neck with Sifan Hassan. It could be because of her stopping in a fluid station at the 25k mark.

Lonah Chemtai Salpeter has been the most regular among the leaders now. She is capitalizing on the distance she has made from the others.

In the meantime, Beriso Amane Shankule and Tigst Aseefa are competing with each other as the pack is on the hill. Sifan Hassan is running behind Salpeter. Now, the runners are leaning forward to handle the steep rise on the track.

The 30km mark has been breached and Sharon Lokedi is the leader now. The top 6 runners are all favorites to win this title and Sifan Hasan is the 6th among them in fact.

Yuka Suzuki has entered the leaders’ pack now. However, Sharon Lokedi is still in the top position. Hellen Obiri is pushing hard and she Aseefa Tigst in front of her. Sifan Hassan is on the sixth now. And almost everyone has the chance to take the gold, even the Olympic record is on the cards now. Yesterday, we saw Tamirat Tola break into the men’s category. Could it repeat in the women’s category?

Dakotah Lindewurm is on the 12th rank right now. She has a chance to enter the top 10, just as Clayton Young and Conner Mantz did yesterday.

As of now, the temperature is hitting 76 degrees, and it is still 5k to cover. Yuka Suzuki is lagging as she takes a break in the fluid station. Sifan Hassan is on her way to completing 38 miles total in this Olympics- just 4 miles short of the actual marathon distance that was decreased in the 1908 London Olympics.

Now, it has come down to five women to grab the three ranks and Sifan Hassan is toiling hard to cross the other four.

Almost all of them carrying water bottles and taking sips- a quite distinct scene compared to yesterday’s event. Hellen Obiri is pushing hard and Aseefa is in no way behind.

41km has been crossed as Hellen Obiri is on the top now.

Sifan Hassan has won the gold, breaking the Olympic record. She completed today at 2:22:55. She has become the second track and field athlete to win gold at the marathon after the 1952 Olympics. The first woman to win medals in the 5k, 10k, and marathon, all in the same Olympics, is Sifan Hassan now.

Dakota Lindewurm finished in the 12th position now. Emily Sisson ranked 23rd.

As per the official, Australian marathoner Sinead Diver had to withdraw because of her cramps in both quadriceps. It could be because of the heat. But the entire event looked to be fateful.