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American Molly Seidel takes bronze in Tokyo Olympics marathon

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•08/06/21
american-molly-seidel-claims-bronze-in-marathon-in-tokyo
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

American Molly Seidel has claimed the bronze medal in the marathon competition at the Tokyo Olympics.

Seidel, 27 years old, became the first American female marathoner to medal since Deena Kastor won bronze at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

After the race, Seidel was exhausted, but in a joking mood.

The marathon was moved from Tokyo to Sapporo, in an effort to avoid the extreme heat conditions. Unfortunately, that strategy didn’t work.

The local temperature in Sapporo was 77 degrees at the time of the start of the race — 6 a.m. local time. The temperature then climbed to a scorching 86 degrees by the time the race finished a few hours later. The humidity was around 65%.

Ninety runners started the race, but more than a dozen did not finish due to the sweltering heat. World champion marathon runner, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, was among those who did not finish.

The Kenyans finished first and second in the marathon, with Peres Jepchirchir taking home the gold with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 20 seconds. Female marathon world record holder, Brigid Kosgei, won the silver.

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Seidel’s college career

Seidel attended Notre Dame, where she won the national title in cross country in 2015. She also won the 2016 national championship for indoor track and field in the 3000 meters and 5000 meters. Seidel was a six time ACC champion for the Fighting Irish. She was named the nation’s top female cross country runner in 2016, winning the Honda Sports Award.

She’s a relative newcomer to the marathon competition and many people did not expect her to medal in the race. This was only her third career marathon race.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native turned pro in 2017. She splits her time between Boston and Flagstaff, according to USA Today.

Dream come true

“Just getting here was already a dream come true,” Molly Seidel told NBC after the race. “And to be able to come out today against a field like this and be able to come away with a medal, with a bronze for the U.S. – I’m in shock. I’m in disbelief right now.”

It’s an incredibly rare accomplishment for an American to medal in the marathon.