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New Record Set in Boston Marathon

Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai takes first place

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2011 2:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya took first place at the Boston Marathon today, finishing the race in a record 2:03:02. That time beats the marathon’s previous record, set by fellow Kenyan Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, by more than two minutes, reports the Boston Globe. It would also be a world record, except that Boston times aren’t recognized internationally because the course is riddled with hills. Mutai finished just four seconds ahead of Moses Musop, who is also from Kenya.

The top-placing American was Ryan Hall, who finished fourth with 2:04:55. “I knew early as I was running through the streets and getting high fives and encouragement that it was going to be something special,” Hall said. “Everyone was out there was like my brothers and sisters cheering me on.” On the women’s side, Kenyan Caroline Kilel took first place in her first running of the marathon, beating Michigan native Desiree Davila by a mere two seconds.

Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya breaks the tape to win the men's division at the finish line of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya breaks the tape to win the men's division at the finish line of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya flashes the thumbs up after winning the men's division of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya flashes the thumbs up after winning the men's division of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Winner Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya gives a thumbs up at the finish area of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston Monday, April 18, 2011.
Winner Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya gives a thumbs up at the finish area of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Boston Marathon runner Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, center, leads a pack of elite runners including Bekana Daba, of Ethiopia, left, in the Natick, Mass., section of the foot race, Monday, April 18, 2011.
Boston Marathon runner Geoffrey Mutai, of Kenya, center, leads a pack of elite runners including Bekana Daba, of Ethiopia, left, in the Natick, Mass., section of the foot race, Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Geoffrey Mutai, left, runs ahead of Moses Mosop, right, both of Kenya, in the Newton, Mass., section of the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 18, 2011.
Geoffrey Mutai, left, runs ahead of Moses Mosop, right, both of Kenya, in the Newton, Mass., section of the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
This two picture combination shows the winners at the finish line of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.
This two picture combination shows the winners at the finish line of the 115th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday, April 18, 2011.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Ziggums
Apr 20, 2011 11:46 PM CDT
To bad it technically doesn't count. Tail-wind was too high and its a majority down-hill course, still absolutely booking it though.
yoeydude
Apr 18, 2011 11:27 PM CDT
,.... this guy is so fast because his ancestors were being chased by lions for so long , we have all heard the racist rant , right ? .... well its true , sorta , genetically speaking if you divide up the world class runners into distances , they are each dominated by certain gene groups , those gene groups traced back to tribal groups with differing cultural rites ,... involving activities that include running certain distances ,....
JackNelsonSteward
Apr 18, 2011 8:44 PM CDT
OK ... show of hands ... how many people went, "He's a Kenyan" before you even saw the picture? Then you look at the picture and ... the guy looks like he just WALKED out of a Starbuck's.
 

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