Athletics Africa Magazine

Worknesh Degefa, left, and Lawrence Cherono celebrate after winning the 2019 Boston Marathon / Photo: BAA Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa won the women’s field with a time of 2:23:31 and Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono took the men’s race with a time of 2:07:57 at the 123rd annual Boston Marathon on Monday. In the closest finish in the men's race since 1988, Cherono, making his Boston Marathon debut, held off two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia to clip the finish line tape in first position. Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono / Photo credit: Boston Marathon Cherono outkicked Lelisa Desisa in a sprint to the tape passing him just steps away from the finish line. Desisa finished was two seconds behind, in a time of 2:07:59, ahead of another Kenyan Kenneth Kipkemoi , who was third in 2:08:07. Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa / Photo: Boston Marathon Kenya's Edna Kiplagat , the 2017 champion, finished second in 2:24:13 ahead of American Jordan Hasay , w...

Geoffrey Kirui won the 121st Boston Marathon on Monday, pulling away from three-time U.S. Olympian Galen Rupp with two miles to go to give Kenya its first men's victory in five years . Edna Kiplagat won the women's race to complete the Kenyan sweep. They were followed closely by Americans who grabbed two of the top four women's spots and six of the top ten for men -- the first time that's happened since the race went professional in 1986. Edna Kiplagat (left) and Geoffrey Kirui, both of Kenya, raise the trophy after winning the women's and men's races at the Boston Marathon on Monday.  Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports "It's so exciting to see Americans being competitive here," said Rupp, the Olympic bronze medallist who was making his Boston debut. "It's a real exciting time. And it's awesome to see American distance running on the upswing and being competitive in these races." Kirui finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes...

Boston Champions Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Salina Kosgei are late additions to the November 1 ING New York City Marathon. This follows the withdrawal of past ‘Big Apple’ champions; Paul Tergat (men) and Jelena Prokopcuka (women) from the race, according to communication from organisers. Making the announcement, New York Road Runners president and CEO, Mary Wittenberg said, "Like all Boston Marathon winners, Robert and Salina are proven champions. They’ll both be looking to join the elite few who’ve become champions of both races." Cheruiyot, 31, last competed in New York City in 2005, finishing fourth in 2:11:01. A four-time Boston Marathon champion (2003, ‘06-08), Cheruiyot is the Boston course-record holder (2:07:14, his personal best). Continue reading here