Nyakisi upbeat despite finishing 68th in grueling marathon
Aug 14, 2016
Finishing 68th was an improvement by 25 places from Uganda’s position at the last Olympics
A medal was always going to be a huge Olympic challenge for Adero Nyakisi but her position is still a huge boost for Uganda.
Her performance was a big improvement for her country's maiden show at the quadrennial games four years ago.
Nyakisi, running her biggest marathon ever, clocked two hours 42.39 minutes in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
Kenya's Jemimah Sumgong won the race in 2:24.04.
Finishing 68th was an improvement by 25 places from Uganda's position at the last Olympics.
Uganda's lone women's representative that time, Jane Suto, was 93rd in 2:44.46.
With temperatures in the Brazilian city rising to 25 degrees centigrade and humidity over 60%, the going got tough for 23 runners who dropped out.
"But I had to fight on and finish. I will definitely put up a better show next time," said Nyakisi after the race.