Boston Marathon: Sisay Lemma and Hellen Obiri give Africa a double win
Boston Marathon: Africa sweeps the board. In both the men's and women's races, the continent took gold.
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The Boston Marathon took place on Monday 15 April. As in the other races over the distance, Africa swept aside the opposition. In the state of Massachusetts, Sisay Lemma won the men's race. The Ethiopian finished in 2:06:17. It was a real redemption for the 33-year-old distance runner, who had endured two failed editions in Boston. His compatriot Mohamed Esa finished 2nd, 41 seconds back. Third place went to Kenya's Evans Chebet, who finished in 2:07:22. It is also worth noting that in the top 10 there is only one non-African, American CJ Albertson, in 7th.
“Previously, I hadn't finished this race, so I wanted to make up for it, which is why I came,” said a delighted Lemma. “Fortunately, I was able to redeem myself, so I'm happy. My plan was to break the course record, but the hills at the end really tired me out. The reason I ran in Boston is that the course is similar to the Olympic one, so I hope it will be good preparation for the Paris Games.” A few months before the 2024 Olympics, Lemma is putting his rivals on notice. After winning in Valencia (2:01:48, the 4th-fastest time in history), he has now shone at the Boston Marathon.
Also read: Rotterdam Marathon: Ashete Bekere victorious
Kenya triumphs in the women's race
In the women's race, Kenya's Hellen Obiri came out on top. The 34-year-old clocked 2:22:37 to retain her title in the American city. She was followed home by two compatriots: Sharon Lokedi (2nd, 2:22:45) and Edna Kiplagat (3rd, 2:23:21). The women's top 10 at this Boston Marathon is entirely African.
Third @WMMajors win in a row for 🇰🇪's @hellen_obiri 👀@bostonmarathon 2023 🏆@nycmarathon 2023 🏆@bostonmarathon 2024 🏆#BostonMarathon2024 https://t.co/UBzBCgt6Lg
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 15, 2024
Boston Marathon results
Women
1-Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:22:37
2-Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:22:45
3-Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:23:21
4-Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:24:04
5-Senbere Teferi (ETH ) ) 2:24:04
6-Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:24:24
7-Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:24:47
8-Fatima Gardadi (MAR) 2:24:53
9-Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) 2:24 :58
10-Dera Dida (ETH) 2:25:16
Men
1-Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:06:17
2-Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:06:58
3-Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:07:22
4-John Korir (KEN) 2:07:40
5-Albert Korir (KEN ) ) 2:07:47
6-Isaac Mpofu (ZIM) 2:08:17
7-CJ Albertson (USA) 2:09:53
8-Yuma Morii (KEN) 2:09:59
9-Cybrian Kotut (KEN) 2:10:29
10-Zouhair Talbi (MAR) 2:10:45