BOSTON – (April 17, 2006) – In an impressive showing for American distance running, Meb Keflezighi, Brian Sell and Alan Culpepper finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, as five American men were in the top 10 on Monday at the 110th Boston Marathon, the best U.S. men’s performance here since 1983. Robert K. Cheruiyot of Kenya won his second Boston title with a course record time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, 14 seconds.
Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, and Culpepper, the 2004 Olympic Trials champion, ran with the leaders from the start. The two were joined in the initial lead pack by early leader John Yuda of Tanzania and Benjamin Maiyo of Kenya. Sell, 9th at the 2005 World Championships marathon, ran more conservatively in the pack.
In an unusual development on the challenging Boston course, a lead group of three separated themselves early, with Maiyo, Keflezighi and first-time marathoner Deriba Merga of Ethiopia controlling the race as Culpepper began to drop back. The top three came through 10 miles in 48:07.
Running easily, Maiyo made a break at just under 71 minutes into race – his third surge in a span of 10 minutes. The move strung out the top trio and caused Merga to drop off the pace. The 2003 champion, Robert Cheruiyot, quickly took Merga’s place, however. Cheruiyot gained ground on Meb, passing him approximately 1:23 into the race as Maiyo continued to lead.
But it was Cheruiyot who was strongest over the final miles. He went on to pass Maiyo and earn his second Boston title in 2:07:14, breaking by one second Cosmas N’deti’s 1994 course record of 2:07:15. Maiyo was second in 2:08:21, and Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. followed in his Boston debut in 2:09:56, just off his personal best of 2:09:53. Sell moved up into fourth to finish in 2:10:55 in a huge personal best – his previous being 2:13:22. Culpepper was fifth in 2:11:05, and Americans Peter Gilmore and Clint Verran were seventh (2:12:45, PR) and 10th (2:14:12, PR), respectively.
Keflezighi came thru the half-marathon in 1:02:45, with Culpepper at 1:03:27 and Sell nearly two-and-a-half minutes behind Meb at 1:05:17. Keflezighi’s early, aggressive running caught up to him, but the Team Running USA athlete looked to have more opportunities to compete in Boston and improve on his showing.
“I know I ran well today, but it wasn’t my best,” Keflezighi said. “The pressure was on. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to come back. The first time [at Boston] is a challenge and you get a feeling for it, but I’m excited about next time.”
Rita Jeptoo of Kenya won the women’s title in 2:23:38 edging by ten seconds 2005 ING New York City Marathon champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia. Emily LeVan was the top U.S. woman, finishing 13th in 2:37:01.
110th BAA Boston Marathon
Boston, MA, Monday, April 17, 2006
110th BAA Boston Marathon
Boston, MA, Monday, April 17, 2006
MEN
1) Robert Kiprotich Cheruiyot, KEN, 2:07:14*, $125,000
2) Benjamin Maiyo, KEN, 2:08:21, $40,000
3) Meb Keflezighi, USA/CA, 2:09:56, $22,500
4) Brian Sell, USA/MI, 2:10:55, $18,000
5) Alan Culpepper, USA/CO, 2:11:02, $14,000
6) Kenjiro Jitsui, JPN, 2:11:32, $12,000
7) Peter Gilmore, USA/CA, 2:12:45, $9000
8) William Kiplagat, KEN, 2:13:26, $7400
9) Wilson Onsare, KEN, 2:13:47, $5700
10) Clint Verran, USA/MI, 2:14:12, $4200
11) Luke Humphrey, USA/MI, 2:15:23, $2600
12) Timothy Cherigat, KEN, 2:16:09, $2100
13) Julius Ruto, KEN, 2:17:02, $1800
14) Wilson Komen, KEN, 2:18:26, $1700
15) Chad Johnson, USA/MI, 2:19:29, $1500
*course record (previous record, 2:07:15, Cosmas N’deti, 04/18/94)
Masters MEN (40+)
1) Sammy Nyangincha, KEN, 2:26:37, $10,000
WOMEN
1) Rita Jeptoo, KEN, 2:23:38, $100,000
2) Jelena Prokopcuka, LAT, 2:23:48, $40,000
3) Reiko Tosa, JPN, 2:24:11, $22,500
4) Bruna Genovese, ITA, 2:25:28, $18,000
5) Kiyoko Shimahara, JPN, 2:26:52, $14,000
6) Alevtina Biktimirova, RUS, 2:26:58, $12,000
7) Olivera Jevtic, SCG, 2:29:38, $9000
8) Madina Biktagirova, 41, RUS, 2:30:06, $17,400
9) Olesya Nurgalieva, RUS, 2:30:16, $5700
10) Zivile Balciunaite, LTU, 2:32:16, $4200
11) Chika Horie, JPN, 2:34:40, $2600
12) Tatiana Titova, 40, RUS, 2:36:57, $7100
13) Emily LeVan, USA/ME, 2:37:01, $1800
14) Kutre Dulecha, ETH 2:37:08, $1700
15) Svetlana Demidenko, RUS, 2:39:53, $1500
Masters WOMEN (40+)
See above
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