Mutai bosses Italy as Malewa clinches sweet silver in Belgium

Amidst the early Sunday morning mist in Europe, the sun's first rays broke through the horizon, casting a warm golden glow on the triumphant Ugandan figures of Solomon Mutai and Felix Chemonges Malewa.  

The two established marathon winners whose extraordinary journey had begun in the darkness and led them to the brightest podium delightful victories. 

Back home in Uganda, the sports fraternity closely followed the two battles for the prize from start to finish.  

Felix Chemongesi Malewa won a silver medal in Antwerp Marathon 2023. Photo by Javier Silas Omagor

Malewa martials recent fails   

The recent past has been a bumpy, rocky career ride for the former national marathon record holder, Malewa but on Sunday, October 22, 2023, he seized the moment.  

Running on Belgian soil at the coveted Antwerp Marathon 2023, the Ugandan long-distance runner memorably clinched a silver medal.  

Running an average speed of 3mins:10sec to 3mins:15secs per kilometre, the ever-jovial Malewa returned home with a clock of 2hrs:14 mins.12secs. 

The Kapchorwa born finished behind Kenyan Vincent Rono who stopped the clock at 2:13.06.  

It was remarkable watching Malewa surge forward having trailed the leading pack only to be condemned to the seventh position at the 30-kilometer mark.  

He replicated the adage ‘throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack’.  

At kilometre 35, Malewa needed unwavering determination to push forward to catch up with the chasing pack, leaving alone getting close to the leaders of the race.  

Luckily for the Uganda Prison Club runner, his endurance levels were still there ready to respond when activated and by the time the 36km signage showed up, Malewa who was initially running seventh behind the chasing pack was smelling the podium finish.  

Malewa had never been more prepared. With less than 8 kilometres remaining, he ran a perfect race. He felt strong, focused, and unstoppable. 

Could have done better 

“I was not aiming at running faster than those ahead of me but faster than myself,” Malewa shared his post-race thoughts with New Vision Online.  

With the cheering crowd by his side, the Global Sports Communication Management Agency runner saw off the Kenyan star, Brian Kimurgor, who was apparently running in the third position.  

At the 40km, another Kenyan, John Langat, desperately watched Malewa hop and lunge ahead to successfully wrestle away the second slot finish.  

With one final burst of energy, he pushed forward and crossed the line, almost immediately after Rono broke the tape. In the end, Langat settled for a bronze.  

“I appreciate my performance to be honest,” Malewa said, adding: “I could have done better of course but there were many corners, windy conditions and some parts presented with hard surface cones. 

“All in all, it was great to return to the podium after my recent struggles and injuries as well.” 

The one-time Toronto marathon winner continued: “I will return to training in three weeks' time after recovery so that I can continue my preparation ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024”. 

 The feeling of achievement and fulfilment is beginning to form Coach Addy Ruiter’s trainee.  

Going by what happened on Sunday in Belgium, it is increasingly clear that all the sweat, tears, and hours of training are finally paying off. 

Mutai runs riots in Italy 

As Uganda’s professional running fraternity celebrated Malewa’s silver performance, another Ugandan Solomon Mutai took it a notch higher.  

Mutai the 2018 Commonwealth medalist broke the Italian Venice Marathon course record when he used the speed of 2hrs:7mins.41secs to win the 38th edition of the highly competitive event.  

The prudently talented Ugandan produced some eye-catching skills on the road en route to victory to the delight of the watching crowd.  

The experienced runner was dramatically embroiled in a photo-finish with Kenya’s Emmanuel Naibe who crossed the line at the same time. Naibe’s compatriot Noah Kigen Kiprotich finished third (2:08.18).  

But the 30-year-old Ugandan was fortunate to be declared the ultimate winner marginally having recorded the fastest microseconds compared to his fellow East African. 

For starters, this was Mutai’s second gold in this event in as many years having won it last year (2022) as well after beating fellow elite African marathoners.  

The clock of 2hrs:08mins. 10 seconds was what Mutai used to win the 2022 edition after wiping out the previous fastest time an athlete used to win the biggest running event held in Italy’s Northern region’s capital, 2hrs:08mins. 50 seconds by David Makori of Kenya during the 17th edition. 

That time, Mutai left Naibe and Ethiopia’s Abebe Tefese for dust after a solid breakaway.  

The former short and middle-distance runner made his 42km debut at the 2013 Mombasa Marathon in Kenya.  

By his own standards, Mutai is increasingly becoming not just a marathon runner but a symbol of the power of the human spirit when perseverance is prioritized.