Kosgei and Merga win Boston Marathons

Kenya’s Salina Kosgei snatched the women’s title in the Boston Marathon by one second on Monday, as Deriba Merga of Ethiopia triumphed in the men’s race.

Kosgei’s winning time of 2hr 32min 16sec was relatively slow, but her finish, as she edged 2008 champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia at the line - didn’t lack for drama.

Last year, Tune edged Alevtina Biktimirova to win by two seconds in what was then the closest women’s finish ever. This time around she and Kosgei traded the lead several times in the closing metres before Kosgei was able to cross the line first. The only closer finish in the race’s history was in 2000, when Elijah Lagat beat Gezahegne Abera with matching times of 2:09:47. Tune collapsed just after finishing in 2:32.17.

She received treatment from medical personnel and was then put on a stretcher and taken from the finishing area.

A race spokesman said she was hospitalized as a precaution. American Kara Goucher, who led with a mile to go, faded and finished third in 2:32.25.

Kosgei said the weather made the challenging course even more difficult.

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Wednesday AFP