One of the most dramatic finales in marathon history ended with one athlete diving for the line, another unsure of the result, and Seiko’s photo-finish machine being called into emergency action.
After 26.2 miles, and more than two hours of sweat and brutal toil, the print confirmed that Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu had pipped Germany’s Amanal Petros in a sprint finish.
Italy’s Iliass Aouani took the bronze five seconds back, but the British athlete Emile Cairess, who was said to be flying in training beforehand, pulled out with two miles to go after suffering in the Tokyo heat.
“I tried my best,” said Cairess, one of 22 from 88 starters who failed to finish. “I feel I just got too hot, simple as that really, conditions were so tough, it’s just really hot.
“When I stopped, I took ages to just feel all right again, I’ve cooled down now but it took a while.”
