MADRID, 17 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Kenya dominated the 2023 edition of the Boston Marathon this Monday thanks to the triumphs of Evans Chebet, in the men’s category, and Hellen Obiri, in the women’s category, in a race where his compatriot and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge did not shine.
Chebet, winner in 2022 and the first to win again since Robert Cheruiyot did it in 2008, was even faster than last year and won with a time of 2:05.54, the third best time in the history of the event. The Tanzanian Gerald Geay and the also Kenyan Benson Kipruto, winner in 2021, completed the podium.
The disappointment was the responsibility of Eliud Kipchoge, who was trying to add Boston to his victories in the considered six great marathons after having already achieved it in Berlin, Paris, Chicago and Tokyo, and also missing the one in New York.
Under the rain and with a route characterized by its steep profile, the Olympic champion tried to be the protagonist, but lost contact after kilometer 30 and finished sixth, almost three minutes behind the winner, his slowest time in the 42.195 kilometers.
For its part, in the women’s race there was also Kenyan dominance thanks to Hellen Obiri, double world champion of 5,000 meters and who prevailed with authority with 2:21:38, the fourth best time in the history of this marathon.
The African, 33 years old and in her second experience in the distance, was the strongest in an exciting final where she got rid of the Ethiopian Amane Beriso, who came second, twelve seconds behind the winner, while the Israeli Lonah Salpeter, current Olympic champion, was third.
In addition, in the race for wheelchair athletes, the victory went to the Swiss Marcel Hug with a time of 1:17.06, with the Spanish Rafa Botello again among the top 10 in a ‘major’ by signing a brilliant ninth position (1:37.36).