Athletics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon
| Men's marathon at the Games of the XXVI Olympiad
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| Venue | Centennial Olympic Stadium, Atlanta | ||||||||||||
| Dates | August 4 | ||||||||||||
| Competitors | 124 from 79 nations | ||||||||||||
| Winning time | 2:12:36 | ||||||||||||
| Medalists | |||||||||||||
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Josia Thugwane |
 South Africa
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Lee Bong-Ju |
 South Korea
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Erick Wainaina |
 Kenya
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The Men's Marathon at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia was held on Sunday August 4, 1996. The race started at 07.05h local time to avoid excessively hot and humid conditions. A total number of 111 athletes completed the race, with an injured and limping Abdel Baser Wasiqi from Afghanistan finishing in last position in 4'24:17.
There were a total of 124 competitors from 79 countries. Thirteen competitors did not finish. The medal ceremony took place during the Closing Ceremony which they did again in Athens eight years later.
The Race
There weren't a lot of favorites in the event. The race started at an Olympic stadium and after 3 1/2 laps of the track they started on the out and back course through Atlanta. There was a large group of about 60 in front. It wasn't until mile 15 that things started to get stirred up. The South Africans made a wall at the front and proceeded to increase the pace. They were joined by Lee Bong- Ju. The race continued as such until mile 17. Josia Thugwane made a move and was joined by Lee Bong-Ju. Meanwhile, Erick Wainaina joined the two in front. The three switched leads several times until Thugwane made a move outside Olympic stadium. He took through the tunnel while Lee Bong-Ju passed the Kenyan. It was the closest finish in olympic history but Thugwane maintained his lead in the last mile to take the gold medallion in 2:12:36. Lee Bong-Ju took silver and Wainaina bronze.
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