The Mighty Eliud Kipchoge shockingly failed to the expectation by finishing sixth in the 127th Boston Marathon. Defending Champion and Kipchoges compatriot Evans Chebet pulled an exciting run to defend his title in the oldest annual marathon event.
Evans Chebet successful ly defended his Boston Marathon title becoming the first man to do so since 2008.
The 2023 Boston Marathon was special in that it marked 10th anniversary of the Boston Bombing in 2013 where three people died and hundreds sustained injuries. Evans Chebet marked a time of 2.0554 to becoming the first man since 2008 to retain the Boston Marathon elite men’s title. Tanzania Gabriel Geay finished second ahead of 2021 Boston Marathon Champion Benson Kipruto.
In the women’s elite race Kenya’s Helen Obiri managed to take home the win 12 seconds ahead of her nearest Challenger setting a personal best record of 2.21.38 to claim her first ever Marathon Title. Amane Beriso took second place to make it a one-two finish for Kenya.
For Eliud Kipchoge who is already the Greatest Marathon runner of all time, 2023 Boston marathon was his maiden race and one of the two major races he had not won. Kipchoge has won 4 of all six major races in the world but this one eluded him just after the 20 mile mark prior to which he had been dominant and seemed to be on course to break the course record.
Eliud Kipchoge attempted to grab his drink but missed before Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay took the bulls by the horns and kicked passed Kipchoge who failed to stay with him and gradually found himself in the back of the leading pack before being separated to run alone in seventh place.
Kipchoge who was evidently worn out would momentarily drop out of the race before rejoining and closing the finish line 6th with a time of 2.09.23 three minutes after the race leader and the eventual Champion Evans Chebet.
It was the second race that Kipchoge has lost the first being the London Marathon in 2018.
In the wheelchair marathon a new record was set by the 6th time Boston Marathon winner Marcel Hug having finished the race 7 minutes earlier than his nearest challenger with a time of 1.17.06.
The women’s Wheelchair race was won by Susan Scaroni who has been in the competition since 2-012 finishing third on multiple occasions and runners up in last year event. Her time was 1.41.45
