Kalmer falls just short
HONEYDEW – Christine Kalmer finishes her first Olympic Games event, but brings home no medals.
Christine Kalmer (30) finished the 42km women’s marathon at the Rio 2016 Olympics nearly three minutes slower than her qualifying time.
Kalmer went to Rio with her best time, which was also her qualifying time, at 02:45:36, but was unable to run faster, finishing the marathon in 02:48:24.
The Honeydew resident now ranks 96th in her category. Although she did not place nor was she looking to, she will now have Olympic experience which hopefully will help her as she prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Bottles – check
Race kit – check
Excitement – check#Rio2016 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/4dWd58LgPy— Christine Kalmer (@Chris10Kalmer) August 13, 2016
Day made! Congratulations Almaz Ayana with your #Olympics #gold !#Rio2016 #Worldrecordholder pic.twitter.com/Q3oHhm8yew
— Christine Kalmer (@Chris10Kalmer) August 12, 2016
Kenyan runner Jemima Sumgong took home gold with a superb time of 02:24:04 followed closely by Bahrain’s Eunice Kirwa, who finished the race with a time of 02:24:13. Bronze was taken by Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba who completed the race in 02:24:30.
Since the age of six, Kalmer has dreamed of going to the Olympics. After watching her older sister, Rene Kalmer, compete twice in the Olympics (2008 and 2012) she felt it was more than possible for her to do the same. “I have always thought that if my sister could go to the Olympics so can I. She has been my motivator with my running and sometimes we train together,” Kalmer said.
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