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Desisa, Rotich Win 2015 Boston Marathon

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Apr 20th 2015, 4:49pm
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Linden, Ritzenhein Top American Finishers

By Scott Bush

Overcast skies, a headwind and cool temperatures led to a strategic morning of racing at the 119th running of the Boston Marathon. As the women took off, followed by the men less than a half hour later, it was clear both races would see large packs of competitors run together much of the race. There’d be no early breakaways in 2015.

Through 10k, packs of 12 were set in place on both the men’s and women’s sides. American Des Linden, Shalane Flanagan and Amy Cragg positioned themselves well, while Dathan Ritzenhein, Meb Keflezighi, Matt Tegenkamp and Nick Arciniaga put four Americans in the lead pack for much of the first half of the race.

While various runners took turns leading, it was Linden and Ritzenhein who drew the most excitement for fans around the United States. Linden took over the lead shortly past 10k and led the women’s pack through half-way in 1:12:44. On the men’s side, while Tadese Tola and 2013 champion Desisa Lelisa took on pacing duties from 10k until 13.1 miles, it was Ritzenhein who took over and pushed the pace just after the 70 minute mark.

As the pace continued on, the men’s pace eventually whittled its way down to ten runners, while the women’s lead group found nine pro runners in charge. Both groups would remain relatively intact until just over 5k to go, when Ethiopians Desisa and Mare Dibaba jump started each race.

Dibaba put in a strong surge, which dropped Linden from the lead, broke open the pack and ultimately made it a three woman battle between Dibaba, Caroline Rotich and Buzunesh Deba. While Dibaba and Deba took turns pushing the pace, Rotich sat a half stride behind, seemingly feeling out the race, with a personal best nearly four minutes slower than the two leaders. Y

With one mile to go, Dibaba put in one more surge which only Rotich covered, as Deba dropped off pace. Dibaba continued to hammer while Rotich hung on gamely. Into the final turn the two runners ran stride for stride, the strain of the past 26 miles showing on their faces.

With less than 100 meters to go, Dibaba tried to break Rotich one last time, but Rotich responded with her own last push, one which proved a game changer, as Rotich crossed the finish line arms raised, victorious, four seconds ahead of Dibaba, 2:24:55-2:24:59.

Deba hung on to finish third, crossing the finish in 2:25:09, while Linden pushed to a fourth place finish in 2:25:39. Fellow American Flanagan crossed the finish in ninth place with a 2:27:47 finishing time.

In the men’s race, Desisa’s decisive move broke the men’s race down to a lead pack of four runners. Wesley Korir, Wilson Chebet and Yemane Tsegay followed Desisa, each looking smooth and in control passing the 20 mile mark.

The group would remain together until four miles to go when Desisa again put in a surge, dropping Korir and Chebet, making it a two man race with Tsegay. The two countrymen put in various pace changes, one after the other. With less than mile to go Tsegay put in one more move, which Desisa covered easily, then put in his own move, easily pulling away from Tsegay.

Desisa grew his lead to over 30 seconds over the final mile, waving as he headed to the finish, joining the select group of less than a half dozen men to win Boston twice. Desisa crossed the line in 2:09:17, followed by Tsegay and Chebet in 2:09:48 and 2:10:22, respectively.

Dathan Ritzenhein kept pace in the final miles to finish as the top American in seventh place in 2:11:20, while defending champion Keflezighi finished a spot behind in 2:12:42.

Results

Top Ten Men

  Pos. Name BIB      Time
  1 Desisa, Lelisa (ETH) 3 02:09:17
  2 Tsegay, Yemane Adhane (ETH) 4 02:09:48
  3 Chebet, Wilson (KEN) 8 02:10:22
  4 Kipyego, Bernard (KEN) 11 02:10:47
  5 Korir, Wesley (KEN) 10 02:10:49
  6 Chepkwony, Frankline (KEN) 9 02:10:52
  7 Ritzenhein, Dathan (USA) 14 02:11:20
  8 Keflezighi, Meb (USA) 1 02:12:42
  9 Tola, Tadese (ETH) 5 02:13:35
  10 Shafar, Vitaliy (UKR) 16 02:13:52
 

Top Ten Women

  Pos. Name BIB      Time
  1 Rotich, Caroline (KEN) F11 02:24:55
  2 Dibaba, Mare (ETH) F2 02:24:59
  3 Deba, Buzunesh (ETH) F1 02:25:09
  4 Linden, Desiree (USA) F10 02:25:39
  5 Cherop, Sharon (KEN) F8 02:26:05
  6 Kilel, Caroline (KEN) F9 02:26:40
  7 Kebede, Aberu (ETH) F3 02:26:52
  8 Demise, Shure (ETH) F6 02:27:14
  9 Flanagan, Shalane (USA) F4 02:27:47
  10 Chepkirui, Joyce (KEN) F16 02:29:07
 



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