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.
Related Content
- Sound Running Founder Jesse Williams Gives Insight Into Fourth Year Of The TEN
Mar 17, 2024
- Amanda Vestri Reacts To 31:54.22 10k To Win Road To TrackTown Heat At Sound Running's The TEN 2024
Mar 17, 2024
- Nico Young After Hitting 10k Olympic Standard And Collegiate All-Time Best At The TEN 2024
Mar 17, 2024
- Woody Kincaid After Running 26:57.57 For Seventh At The Ten
Mar 17, 2024
- Grant Fisher On His Kick To Win The Men's 10k In 26:52.04 At The TEN 2024
Mar 17, 2024
- Rachel Smith On 31:04 10k At The TEN, Plus Balancing Running And Life As A New Mother
Mar 17, 2024
- Mohammed Ahmed Checks The 10k Olympic Standard Off His List After 26:53.01 At The TEN 2024
Mar 17, 2024
- Nikki Hiltz On Pacing The Women's 10k At The TEN Following Silver At World Indoors A Few Weeks Prior
Mar 17, 2024
- Habtom Samuel Reacts To NCAA No. 2 All-Time 26:53.84 Men's 10k At Sound Running's The TEN 2024
Mar 17, 2024