It was a good run in Boston, but it was particularly another exceptional marathon for Kenya who left no room for a challenge to win the 121st Boston Marathon, in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Geoffrey Kirui won convincingly with two miles to go, finishing in 02:09:37 to claim a silver trophy, an olive wreath from Marathon, Greece and the $ 150,000 first prize to give Kenya its first men’s victory in five years.
A determined Kirui was hellbent on winning in Boston regardless of his popular participation in short distance races.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”In my mind, I was sure that one day I would win this race,”[/perfectpullquote]
said Kirui.
The 25-year-old who was running only his third marathon added, “To come here to Boston, I knew I was going to face my colleagues who have run many times here. … I knew I would challenge some of the champions league ho have been competing here.”
Similarly, Edna Kiplagat won the women’s race to make it a double sweep for the East Africans.
More incredibly, Kiplagat – two-time world champion and winner in London, New York, and Los Angeles – who finished in 02:21:52, was running her Boston debut race.
Kenyan wasn’t without support from its countrymen and women who lined up the streets full of support and cheers for the runners.
Kenya had won in either the men’s or women’s category every year since 1991 before its position was overthrown in 2014 and again 2016.
Six times, the nation won both titles since 2000 “dominating the top 10 that Boylston Street began to look like a Great Rift Valley training run“.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”They have come all the way from Africa so we have to come and support them,”[/perfectpullquote]
said Penny Waweru, who has watched the race for the last five years.
Historically, Kenyans have dominated the Boston Marathon. Over the last three decades, Kenyan men have won 21 races, while Kenyan women have won 12. But Ethiopians have been more successful in recent years.
Harrison Maina, of Malden, vice president of the New England Kenyan Welfare Association said, “Marathon running is a huge sport in Kenya, very popular. It’s associated with people who are back in the village — it’s one of the easiest ways to make money … running and winning a marathon.”
Featured photo: AP
