Julia Paternain’s world marathon bronze first medal for Uruguay

TOKYO, Japan – Arkansas alum Julian Paternain claimed Uruguay’s first-ever medal at a World Athletics Championship in any event with a surprising bronze medal performance in her second ever marathon.

Representing Uruguay, Paternain posted a time of 2:27:23 to place third. She broke the Uruguay national record with a 2:27:09 effort in March. At the half-marathon distance, Paternain set the national record with a 1:12.01 performance in January at Houston.

“It’s great, Uruguay is such a small country, it’s three million people, it’s tiny,” explained Paternain. “So, it really means a lot, it’s a very prideful country. Everyone back home has been sending me messages. It’s been full of support.

“It was a really great experience. It’s great for younger athletes that they have a role model out there. Even if you’re from one of these smaller countries, it doesn’t matter. You still have to put in the work and you can do it.”

The World Championship bronze by Paternain is the first medal in the marathon by any female from Latin America.

“I could not believe it when I crossed that finish line,” stated Paternain. “I had no idea I was in third. I also wasn’t sure that was the finish line. I wanted to make sure.

“I was in so much shock, I really cannot believe it. I think I was just focusing on really making sure I ran that race smart and trying to make sure I ran my own race and pick people off as the race went on.”

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won Tokyo marathon gold in 2:24:43 while Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia finished second in 2:24:45. Finishing behind Paternain in fourth was American Susanna Sullivan (2:28:17), who led the field for a large portion of the race.

“Around halfway there was a pack of 10 of 15 women ahead of me,” noted Paternain. “Slowly that pack started to break up. I was trying to make sure each of my miles was consistent.

“When I got into the stadium I thought I was sixth or fifth. I finished and I could not believe it. I was terrified that wasn’t the finish and I still had another 400m, even though there were signs everywhere that said 400m to go. I didn’t quite trust it.”

There were 63 finishers in the race along with 10 who didn’t finish. The marathon started a half hour earlier than originally schedule due to heat in Tokyo.

Even with a 7:30 a.m. start, the temperature was 82 degrees with 72 percent humidity and at the finish of the race the temperature reached 84 degrees with 67 percent humidity.

“I came into this race with three goals,” said Paternain. “The C goal was to finish the race, because it’s extremely hot and humid. So, it was just get to the finish line. The B goal was maybe top 30. The A goal was top eight.

“Really, though, it was just about the process. I was really just trying to respect the distance since the marathon is tough to run, it’s 26.2 miles. So, I really wasn’t thinking about my place. I knew there were going to be hills in the last 5k. Then it was about trying to pick off people as it goes.

“I ran my own race and ended up with a bronze.”

Prelim races during the first couple of days included Nikki Hiltz and Ackera Nugent each earning automatic qualification to the semifinal of the 1,500m and 100m hurdles.

Hiltz posted a time of 4:01.73 as runner-up in the 1,500m heat. Nugent claimed the 100m hurdle heat in 12.54 with a +0.5 aiding wind.