'I hope they're proud': Aussie mum in tears after gutsy Olympic marathon

Australian mother-of-two Sinead Diver delivered an emotional message to her loved ones after a gutsy 10th placed finish in the women's marathon at the Olympic Games.

The Aussie was making her Games debut at the age of 44 and stormed home in the marathon to clinch a special piece of history.

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Diver finished strongly on a hot and humid morning in Sapporo to claim 10th spot in two hours 31 minutes and 14 seconds, becoming just the second Australian woman to finish in the top 10 in an Olympic marathon.

The only better Olympic performances by an Australian female marathoner came from Lisa Ondieki, who won the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and was seventh in 1988.

I'm speechless, I'm so happy," said Diver.

"I didn't expect to come top 10.

"That was something I really wanted before the race, so I'm absolutely stoked that I fought for that spot at the end.

"I had to sprint to get past the girl in front of me."

Diver, who was born and raised in Ireland before moving to Australia aged 25, choked back tears when asked about her two children and husband watching back home in Australia.

“I’ve been away from them for quite a few weeks now. I really miss them,” she said.

“I hope they’re proud of their mum. I’m sure they’re screaming at the TV now.

“I want to say thank you to my husband Colin, who’s supported me so much throughout this. He’s taken on way more than his fair share of things. I’m really grateful to him.

“I have so many people to thank, it’s ridiculous. I’ve been so lucky and so fortunate with everyone who’s helped me out.

“My dad is probably the proudest man on the planet right now, so hi guys.”

Kenyan runners claim gold and silver

Peres Jepchirchir upset fellow Kenyan and current world record holder Brigid Kosgei to win the gold medal.

Until now better known as a two-time world half-marathon champion, Jepchirchir, 27, broke away from Kosgei with a couple of kilometres to run.

She clocked a winning time of 2:27:20.

Kosgei was second in 2:27:36 and Molly Seidel from the United States took the bronze in 2:27:46.

Ellie Pashley was the second Australian across the line in 23rd spot in 2:33:39 and Lisa Weightman, competing at her fourth Games, was 26th in 2:34:19.

Diver is a mother of two who only took up running seriously after emigrating to Australia and joining the Melbourne Track Club, whose other members include Stewart McSweyn and Ryan and Genevieve Gregson.

"My coach (Nic Bideau) said to me before the race 'the first 90 minutes you've just got to feel relatively comfortable, the race doesn't start until after that'," she told the Seven Network.

"I kept reminding myself of that and I kept pulling back a bit.

"I gave it everything from about 32km.

"It's still a long way to go and it's really hot out there.

"I'm just so relieved that I was able to stay strong until the end."

with AAP

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