2017 Boston Marathon & B.A.A. 5k/MileApr 17, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Geoffrey Kirui Wins, Galen Rupp Finishes Second At Boston Marathon
Geoffrey Kirui Wins, Galen Rupp Finishes Second At Boston Marathon
Geoffrey Kirui beats out American Galen Rupp to win the 121st Boston Marathon.
The 121st Boston Marathon produced an excellent two-man battle between 24-year-old Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya and 30-year-old Galen Rupp of the United States, both competing in the third marathon of their careers. Kirui distanced the Olympic silver medalist by 10 meters at Mile 23 and went on to win his debut at Boston by 11 seconds, 2:09:37 to 2:09:58.
Rupp's runner-up finish makes him the highest-placing American since Meb Keflezighi's win in 2014, and the highest-placing American-born man since 1985, when Gary Tuttle of California was runner-up in 2:19.11. The 41-year-old Keflezighi was 13th today in 2:17 after running in the lead pack for 11 miles; he confirmed after the race that this will be his last showing in Boston.
The elite men ran in broad pack of 10-15 athletes through 10 miles, with Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya taking most of the pacing duties as they ran between 5:04 and 4:47 for each mile. The lead group, which included Americans Rupp, Meb and the fellow master's runner, 40-year-old Abdi Abdirahman, passed through 10 miles in 49:11. Kirui materialized for the first time.
2016 Olympian Jared Ward and Luke Puskedra trailed about 10 meters behind; at 11 miles, Keflezighi dropped back towards the American duo.
The group pushed through the half marathon in 1:04:35, with Mutai, Abdirahman and Kirui trading the lead. Abdirahman, who ran his PB of 2:08:56 in 2006, took the lead for miles 14 (4:51) and 15 (5:19). By mile 20, the pack dwindled from 10 men to just three: Abdirahman, Kirui and Rupp. At mile 21, the race was set between Kirui and Rupp, who battled back and forth until Kirui broke the race open at mile 23. Kirui split 4:27 at mile 24, the fastest of the day, to cement an 11-second lead over Rupp that he would hold through the finish.
Check out the mile-by-mile recap of the men's and women's race here.
Rupp's runner-up finish makes him the highest-placing American since Meb Keflezighi's win in 2014, and the highest-placing American-born man since 1985, when Gary Tuttle of California was runner-up in 2:19.11. The 41-year-old Keflezighi was 13th today in 2:17 after running in the lead pack for 11 miles; he confirmed after the race that this will be his last showing in Boston.
#BostonMarathon Men:
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) April 17, 2017
1. Kirui 2:09:37
2. Rupp (USA) 2:09:58
3. Osako 2:10:28
4. Biwott (USA) 2:12:08
5. Chebet 2:12:35
6. Abdi (USA) 2:12:45
The elite men ran in broad pack of 10-15 athletes through 10 miles, with Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya taking most of the pacing duties as they ran between 5:04 and 4:47 for each mile. The lead group, which included Americans Rupp, Meb and the fellow master's runner, 40-year-old Abdi Abdirahman, passed through 10 miles in 49:11. Kirui materialized for the first time.
2016 Olympian Jared Ward and Luke Puskedra trailed about 10 meters behind; at 11 miles, Keflezighi dropped back towards the American duo.
The group pushed through the half marathon in 1:04:35, with Mutai, Abdirahman and Kirui trading the lead. Abdirahman, who ran his PB of 2:08:56 in 2006, took the lead for miles 14 (4:51) and 15 (5:19). By mile 20, the pack dwindled from 10 men to just three: Abdirahman, Kirui and Rupp. At mile 21, the race was set between Kirui and Rupp, who battled back and forth until Kirui broke the race open at mile 23. Kirui split 4:27 at mile 24, the fastest of the day, to cement an 11-second lead over Rupp that he would hold through the finish.
Check out the mile-by-mile recap of the men's and women's race here.