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Wisconsinite Earns Marathon Bronze, Predicted Medal In 4th Grade

Molly Seidel Is Third American Woman To Win Women's Marathon

Molly Seidel
Molly Seidel, of United States, reacts after her third place finish in the women’s marathon at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. Shuji Kajiyama/AP Photo

Molly Seidel finished with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in only her third career marathon.

The American runner from Wisconsin was surprised by the medal after a sweltering run through the streets of Sapporo.

She listed Olympic success as a goal when she was a kid. She wrote on a card that her biggest goal was to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal. She laughed after the race and said she was a little bit off but was pumped for the bronze.

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Seidel finished behind Kenyan marathoners Peres Jepchirchir and Brigid Kosgei.

Only two other American women have ever won a medal in the women’s marathon, according to USA TODAY.

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Wisconsin Public Radio, @ Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. The Associated Press contributed to this report.  All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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