Kenyans performance in athletics once again received a huge battering, after World champion Geoffrey Kirui lost his Boston Marathon title to Yuki Kawauchi on Monday evening.
Kenya was not lucky once again in the women’s race, with American Desiree Linden storming to victory.
This capped a disappointing week for Kenyans on the track, after a dismal performance by team Kenya at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia.
The race in Boston was heavily affected by bad weather, with rain and wind, affecting the race.Kirui could be seen battling with the bad weather as he struggled to keep pace with Kawauchi in the final meters of the race, who produced an enviable finish to the race.
Kirui came in second to claim silver, with Kenyan-born Stanley Biwott of the United States closed the podium in 2:18:32.In the women’s event, defending champions Edna Kiplagat could not stand the strong winds and finished a distant seventh.
Results
Men
1. Kawauchi, Yuki (JPN) 2:15:58
2. Kirui, Geoffrey (KEN) 2:18:23
3. Biwott, Shadrack (USA) 2:18:35
4. Pennel, Tyler (USA) 2:18:57
5. Bumbalough, Andrew (USA) 2:19:52
6. Smith, Scott (USA) 2:21:47
7. Nageeye, Abdi (NED) 2:23:16
8. Kibet, Elkanah (USA) 2:23:37
9. Coolsaet, Reid (CAN) 2:25:02
10. Vassallo, Daniel (USA) 2:27:50