- Kenyans sweep the podium in women’s race
- GB’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper wins women’s wheelchair race
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri broke away from a large pack late to become the first woman to repeat as Boston Marathon champion since 2005, crossing the finish line in 2hr 22min 37sec on Monday.
The 34-year-old Obiri split from more than a dozen runners in the second half of the race, then outfought a challenge from her compatriot, Sharon Lodeki, over the final three miles for the victory. It led a Kenyan sweep of the podium, with Lodeki crossing second in 2:22:45. Two-time champion and 44-year-old Edna Kiplagat was third in 2:23:21.
In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma claimed victory after a solo surge early in the race gave him the platform to finish first in 2:06:17. His compatriot Mohamed Esa took second place, 41 seconds behind Lemma while defending champion Evans Chebet of Kenya was third, one minute and five seconds off the winner. The 33-year-old Lemma set a blistering pace until fatigue set in towards the end but neither Esa nor Chebet could catch him, although Esa made a late surge to secure second spot.
Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba was the last repeat women’s Boston champion in 2005, part of her run of four titles in five years. Obiri won both her Boston debut last April and last year’s New York Marathon. A two-time Olympic medalist, she is a provisional member of Kenya’s Olympic team.
Emma Bates, who led in the second half of the race, was the top American finisher in 12th (2:27:14). Sara Hall came in 15th (2:27:58), followed by 2018 Boston winner Des Linden in 16th (2:28:27).
