The race was held in brutal heat and humidity over a course of hugely demanding hills.
Tola, who was called into the Ethiopian team as a late replacement, won ahead of Belgium’s Bashir Abdi who earned the silver medal in 2:06:47.
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Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, fastest in the world this year after winning the Tokyo marathon in 2:02:16, marked his Olympic debut with the bronze in 2:07:00.
Kipruto’s 39-year-old compatriot Eliud Kipchoge who was seeking a third consecutive title however failed to finish the race.
