Evans Chebet defends marathon title in Boston as Kipchoge falls short

Kenyan marathoner Evans Chebet successfully defended his Boston Marathon title as he held off a strong group of elite runners to claim the 127th edition of the oldest marathon in history in a time of 2:05:54.

The Kenyan made his move in the last stages of the race and with 1:56:55 on the clock to break away from the duo of Tanzania's Gabriel Geay - who finished second and his training mate and compatriot Benson Kipruto who came in third.

"I am really happy to win this year's edition and for a second consecutive time," race winner Chebet said shortly after cutting the tape through the iconic Boylston Street. "It was a different race compared to last year because of the weather but I am grateful to have still won it and have my training partner (Kipruto) finish close to me and stick to the plan we had with our coach."

Chebet now becomes the first man to defend his Boston title since 2008 after having won the road race in 2022 with an official time of 2:06:51.

With 22 miles done and dusted in the chilly Monday morning marathon, the leading group of three broke away with Chebet taking an early lead that turned hands after Gaye moved past with 1:50:28 on the clock before Kipruto joined them up on the opposite side of the road to lead the two closing on to victory with just two miles remaining.

The 2022 New York Marathon Champion was however not to be defeated as he sprung into life on the Hearbreak Hill to set the third fastest time in the course.

Tough outing for Eliud Kipchoge

With all eyes and expectations placed on marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge to tick off Boston on his list of won World Majors Marathons, the punishing course ended up to be a tough one for the undisputed G.O.A.T as he fell off the leading pack just after the 25km mark to finish sixth in a time of 2:09:23.

The two-time Olympic champion looked to be in early control in the race immediately after the gun and led the group of 12, then 11 through the opening embers of the race and through the halfway mark at 1:02:19 up until the 25km drink station when things turned south.

As the elite group of Evans Chebet, John Korir, Albert Korir, Andualem Belay, Gabriel Geay and Benson Kipruto all took turns to take their drinks, it for a moment looked as if Kipchoge missed his, to all of a sudden fall behind within 100m.

Tanzania's Gabriel Geay pushed the lead upfront and in the next 1200m, Kipchoge had dropped 12 seconds behind the chase.

With 1:43:58 on the clock, Kipchoge was 51 seconds behind the race leader Evans Chebet, finally cutting the tape three minutes and twenty nine seconds adrift.

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After three consecutive wins in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 2022 Tokyo and Berlin marathons, Kipchoge's sixth placed finish is now the second worst record the 39 year old has recorded in his impeccable career; his eight placed finish in the 2020 London marathon being the lowest rank.

For the other Kenyans in the race, Albert Korir- a mainstay in the leading pack - finished fourth after being dropped off with over 3 miles to go with a time of 2:08:01 with John Korir closing out the top ten finishers in tenth clocking 2:10:04.

Full results for the Boston Marathon men’s elite race:

1. Evans Chebet (KEN) — 2:05:54

2. Gabriel Geay (TAN) — 2:06:04

3. Benson Kipruto (KEN) — 2:06:06

4. Albert Korir (KEN) — 2:08:01

5. Zouhair Talbi (MOR) — 2:08:35

6. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) — 2:09:23

7. Scott Fauble (USA) — 2:09:44

8. Hassan Chahdi (FRA) — 2:09:46

9. John Korir (KEN) — 2:10:04

10. Matthew McDonald (USA) — 2:10:17