Brookfield-Born Runner Wins Bronze Medal In the 2020 Olympics

BROOKFIELD, WI — A Brookfield-born runner won the bronze medal at the women's marathon in the Tokyo Olympic Games Friday.

Molly Seidel made her debut at 4 p.m. CDT in Sapporo, Japan.

Seidel, 27, is the third American woman to win a medal at an Olympic Marathon, Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Chavez said.

Peres Jepchirchir won the gold medal and Brigid Kosgei won the silver medal. Both women ran for Kenya's team.

The women's marathon was scheduled an hour ahead of time due to high temperatures, the Olympics website said.

Seidel competed with U.S. teammates Sally Kipyego and Aliphine Tuliamuk. The three qualified for the Tokyo Games in February 2020, NBC Sports reported.

Before the Games, she spoke on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt about taking care of her mental health.

"Even something as big as the Olympics aren't worth sacrificing your health and sanity for," Seidel said in an interview on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. "I'm really grateful I had people in my life to tell me the hard truths and that they love me regardless of whether or not I'm on an Olympic team."

Molly Seidel never attempted a marathon until the Olympic trials, where she finished second and scored a spot on Team USA.

Ahead of the Games, she spoke with @annenbcnews about learning to take care of her mental health.

Tune in to @NBCNightlyNews tonight for more. pic.twitter.com/xrtaL0xDYX
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 6, 2021