Sensational Hellen Obiri leads Kenyans to podium sweep in 2024 Boston Marathon
15th April 2024
Obiri clocked 2:22:37 to successfully defend her title.
- Obiri once again saved her best for last as she outpaced Lokedi in the closing stages.
- 44-year-old Edna Kiplagat finished third to complete the Kenyan sweep.
- Obiri became the sixth woman to win back-to-back Boston Marathon titles in the history of the road race.
Evans Chebet, who was seeking to win the race for the third year in a row, finished third in the men’s category behind two Ethiopian runners.
Multiple world champion Hellen Obiri has once again proved
that she is one of the best female road race runners in the world.
The mother of one produced a superb performance at the just
concluded 2024 Boston Marathon to defend her title.
Obiri, who trains in the United States, outpaced her
compatriot Sharon Lokedi at the final stages of the hotly contested race and
went on to clinch the coveted title in 2:22.37.
The win made her the sixth woman to retain the coveted title
in the rich history of Boston Marathon.
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Lokedi settled for a second-place position in 2:22.45 with
the evergreen Edna Kiplagat clocking 2:23.21 to ensure Kenya completes a clean
podium sweep.
Kiplagat, who recently celebrated her 44th birthday,
surprised many people by achieving such an incredible feat in a race that had a
host of other big names.
Kenyan athletics fans watched the women’s race with pride
since both Obiri and Lokedi are part of a six-member team that was recently
selected by Athletics Kenya (AK) to represent the country at the eagerly
awaited 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The other athletes in the strong squad include former world
record holder Brigid Kosgei, Peres Jepchirchir, one-time world champion Ruth
Chepngetich and Rosemary Wanjiru.
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Meanwhile, Kenyan men did not have a so good day in the
streets of Boston in a race that Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma led for the majority
part.
Lemma, who clinched the Valencia Marathon title less than
five months ago, won the race in an impressive time of 2:06.17.
His fellow countrymen Mohamed Esa came in second after
clocking 2:06.58 on his Boston Marathon debut.
Esa was followed by Kenya’s Evans Chebet. The Kapsabet-based
runner, who was seeking to become the fifth person to win the Boston title
three times in a row, clocked 2:07.22, a few seconds ahead of fellow countryman
John Korir.
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2024 Boston Marathon Results.
Top 3 Male Finishers
Sisay Lemma – Ethiopia – 2:06.17
Mohamed Esa – Ethiopia – 2:06.58
Evans Chebet – Kenya – 2:07.22
Top 3 Female Finishers
Hellen Obiri – Kenya – 2:22.37
Sharon Lokedi – Kenya – 2:22.45
Edna Kiplagat – Kenya – 2:23.21
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