NAIROBI, Kenya, April 18 – Geoffrey Mutai clocked an unbelievable 2:03:02 to win the 155th running of the Boston Marathon in what was the fastest ever performance over the 42km race.
The staggering achievement is a whole 57 seconds inside the official world record of 2:03:59 held by Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie but Boston’s downhill course and winds means it is not eligible as a certified world record route by IAAF.
However, there is no denying Mutai’s superhuman effort, having to fend off fast finishing countryman, Moses Mosop and American Ryan Hall as he became the quickest runner over the ultimate distance.
“I knew I could go faster but I was not thinking of breaking the world record. I only realised we were going so fast 25km into the race. I had prepared well for the race and also running at the World Cross Country helped,” Mutai, who finished second at both Rotterdam and Berlin marathons, last year told race organisers.
In Rotterdam, he raced 2:04:55, underlining his speedy talent over the ultimate distance.
There was double joy for Kenyans when Frankfurt marathon titleholder, Caroline Kilel held off an intense three way battle of wits to complete the course in 2:22:36.
More to follow….
