World record holder Eliud Kipchoge finishes 6th in first Boston Marathon race

BOSTON — Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner of all time, finished sixth in his first race at the Boston Marathon on Monday (April 17), as his compatriot Evans Chebet powered to victory.

In wet and windy conditions, 2022 champion Chebet of Kenya took his time before surging away in the closing stages to become the first man to defend the Boston crown since compatriot Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot completed a hat trick of victories between 2006-2008.

Chebet finished in a time of 2hr 5min 54sec, with Tanzania's Gabriel Geay finishing second in 2:06:04, and Kenyan Benson Kipruto third in 2:06:04.

Two-time Olympic champion and world record holder Kipchoge — who had been bidding to add the Boston crown to previous marathon victories in Berlin, Tokyo, London and Chicago — trailed home in sixth place in 2:09:23, around three-and-a-half minutes adrift of Chebet.

Kipchoge had looked in prime form over the opening stages, coolly leading a group of 10 runners through the halfway stage in 1:02:19.

The Kenyan icon still looked in control when the leading group started to thin after around 16 miles (26km), with the pace picking up as the undulating Boston course made its descent.

But the complexion of the race changed in mile 19 when Geay made what turned out to be a huge move that broke Kipchoge's resistance.

As the pack gave chase to Geay, the world record-holder was rapidly left behind and was soon nearly 100m off the pace. Geay remained in the lead through 24 miles in a leading trio alongside Chebet and Kipruto.

But Chebet and Kipruto kicked on in the final two miles and Chebet led with a mile to go before pulling away to retain his crown. Geay staged a late rally to take second from Kipruto.

Kipchoge’s time was 2:09:23, his slowest marathon finish ever and well below his world record time of 2:01:09.

Kipchoge has lost only two marathons in 15 attempts, which includes 10 world marathon major wins. His last marathon loss came at the 2020 London Marathon in similar rainy conditions.

Kipchoge, 38, has said that running all six major marathons is on his “bucket list.” He now has just the New York City Marathon to check off his list, which will happen in November. AGENCIES