He tried in vain to stop the rivulets of tears from falling from his eyes.

Kenyans would have preferred gold, but for the emotional Michael Githae, bronze in the men's marathon on his debut for Kenya at a primary championship race on Saturday was sufficient.

Githae, overcome with emotion, dedicated the medal to his late father, Joseph Githae, whom he described as his athletic pillar.

The senior Githae died in January of this year.

"I wish my father was still alive to see these wonderful moments." But I know he's content wherever he is. "I'm sure he cheered me all the way to the finish line," said Githae, who arrived in Birmingham the night before the race.

Githae recalled his father once predicting that he would one day represent Kenya while providing him with all the athletic support he required.

"This bronze medal is for my late father, who always followed my every race, and my family, who always supported me," Githae explained. "My wife, Bakita, and son Eusebia have always supported me."

Githae stated that he never imagined himself representing Kenya at the age of 27. Still, after winning bronze, he now wants to compete for a spot on Team Kenya for the World Athletics Championships next year and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Githae stated that even after being placed on the Commonwealth Games reserve list, he never gave up hope and continued training in Nyahururu alongside James Rungaru and Dennis Tumuti under coach Francis Kamau.

"My other coach from my base in Japan, Fujiwara Agata, gave me good programs that I religiously followed," said Githae, who joined the team to replace the suspended Philemon Kacheran.

"These are the times when I am proud to be a Kenyan." When I finally joined the team, I felt like I was in another world. "My goal and hope were to win gold, but I am happy to win this medal for myself, Kenyans, and my family," Githae said.
Victory eluded Kenya once more, as Githae took bronze in the men's marathon at the Commonwealth Games.