Evan Chebet signs a great performance at the Boston Marathon. The Kenyan managed to retain his title. A first since 2008. In the women's category, Hellen Obiri won. A great achievement for the double world champion of the 5000 m who was only running the second marathon of her career.
And that's two for Evan Chebet. The Kenyan won the Boston Marathon for the second time in a row. The Kenyan completed the 42.195 km in 2h05mn54s. He is the first man to defend his title since his compatriot Robert Cheruiyot in 2008. The winner of the New York Marathon 2021 signs the third best time in the history of the race. His compatriot Benson Kipruto finished third place with a time of 2:06:06. "I train with Benson; he's my friend and like a brother to me," said Chebet. Second place went to Gabriel Geay of Tanzania in 2:06:04.
Eliud Kipchoge dropped at the 30th km
Eliud Kipchoge, in search of the grand slam, only finished sixth with a time of 2h09mn23s, more than three minutes behind the winner. A time far from his standards. He was making his debut in Boston. And the course did not suit him. The Kenyan seemed to be in a good mood during the first part of the race, setting the pace for the leading pack. Chebet and Kipchoge were still together in the lead group at the 30th km, reached in 1h29mn23s, but the double Olympic champion and world record holder started to lose contact with the leaders just a minute or two later, after failing to retrieve his bottle at a water station. This was the third defeat of Kipchoge's career. He will have to wait a little longer before he can win the Six Marathon World Series.
Obiri is new queen of Boston
In the women's category, Hellen Obiri is the winner of the Boston Marathon. The Kenyan won in 2h21mn38s. The double world champion of the 5,000 won her first title on the 42, 195 km. Obiri was only running the second marathon of her career. And the race was fiercely contested. Obiri and Ethiopia's Amane Beriso were neck and neck throughout the race. But the Kenyan went on a long run to the finish line. Glancing over her shoulder from time to time, the Olympic silver medalist maintained a good lead over Beriso and won in 2:21:38. For her debut on the distance, she had finished 6th in New-York. And now she won the Boston Marathon. A great performance!
"I am so happy," exclaimed Obiri. I was undecided about which marathon to do this year, but finally I decided to do Boston. My coach (Dathen Ritzenhein) told me, 'you trained well, you're ready to do Boston.' ' I'm very, very happy that I chose to do it." Beriso settled for second place in 2:21:50. She did, however, hold the personal best in the women's field. Israeli Lonah Salpeter completed the podium in 2h21mn57s.
