Flash Interviews - Men Marathon Final

Gold - Luke KIBET, KEN
"This was not the toughest marathon of my career, I felt comfortable despite the hot weather. I know it is my eighth marathon and I am proud to win the gold for my country. We worked as a team and actually wanted to win also the World Cup. I had a small accident at 28th km, later after 30 km I realised the pace is slow and started to push. At 32nd km I started to believe I can win this race. I am from Kalenjin tribe and my feelings right now are full of happinness. The win of Vienna Marathon this year gave me the right confidence."

Silver - Mubarak Hassan SHAMI, QAT
"It was very hot but my body adapts to it. I was prepared for this, but because of the recurring injury I couldn't make it. I've had hip and hamstring problems since 2005 and need massage up to the few minutes into the race. I had very good massage at Paris marathon but that was not possible here. In the end, the legs were just not moving."

Bronze - Viktor RÖTHLIN, SUI
"I should not tell you this because nobody will believe it: This night I dreamt of winning the bronze medal just like I did last year in Gothenburg when I won silver! It is unbelievable! I came here to Japan 16 days ago and my training improved from day to day. My preparation in St. Moritz helped me a lot to overtake the others at the end of the race: After a 30 km training run I would do five 1 km runs. So overtaking the Japanese was only difficult for my head but not for my legs."

4th place - Yared ASMEROM, ERI
"It was very tough. It's too hot. I am happy. This is a better result than I expected." On this being Eritrea's highest finish in the World Championship marathon to date: "I am proud."

5th place - Tsuyoshi OGATA, JPN
"I wanted to get a medal today, the colour would not be important. I was thinking I can get it while I was running at third position at some point during the last stages of the race. Unfortunately I could not run the same pace at the end."