Epic victories in Boston for Kenyans Lokedi and Korir

Behind them, Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw finished third in 2:18:06.

On the other hand, Korir made a break earlier in the closing stages of the race and maintained the lead at a safe distance. At the second-last hilly section of the Boston Marathon course, after the 40K mark, Korir glanced back. The three chasers were yet to start climbing the hill while he was beginning to descend onto the other side. Victory for him was imminent!

A smile could be seen as he approached the finish line, fishing out a bib number from under his running kit before he crossed the finish line with arms stretched out in celebration. His brother, Wesley Korir, the 2012 champion, was there to receive him after he crossed the finish line in the second-fastest winning time ever at the Boston Marathon, 2:04:45.

Behind him, three runners battled out for second position that eventually went to Tanzania’s Alfonze Simbu in 2:05:04 as he edged out Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, who returned the same time. USA’s Conner Mantz finished third in 2:05:08.

From the start of the men’s race, Sisay Lemma, the fourth fastest man in history and defending champion, seemed determined to make it a fast pace from early in the race, taking the field through the 10K in 28:52. But when he approached the half-way point and the time that was about to show up was 1:01:52. A huge pack was still behind him. He yielded the lead as Canada’s Rorry Linketter took them past that point.

At around 33 km, Korir made a sudden surge and quickly began to open up a gap that no one ever challenged until he went on to win the race.

The women’s race had Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso and Rahma Tusa exchange much of the early stages, crossing the 5K in 16:49 and 10K in 32:51. Yehualaw took to the front and increased the pace after the 10K and the leading pack soon whittled down to 5 runners that included Beriso, Obiri, Irene Cheptai and Lokedi. The half-marathon mark was crossed in 1:08:46.

The leading pack soon reduced to three, as Ethiopia’s Yehualaw was in the company of Obiri and Lokedi before she dropped back and left the contention for the title to the two Kenyans.