Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo won the 2013 Boston Marathon but was so shaken by the bombings that she initially refused to come back. She changed her mind, came back for the 2014 race, and won it in the record-setting time of 2:18:57. Jeptoo wass the first woman to win back-to-back Boston Marathons since Catherine Ndereba won in 2004 and 2005. Jeptoo’s victory today also made her the seventh three-time Boston Marathon winner.
Jeptoo was part of a lead group led out by American Shalane Flannagan at a record pace right from the gun.
Flannagan led the first 18 miles, refusing to let another woman draw level with her, but then ran out of energy. Jeptoo then pulled away with a group of four other runners Mare Dibaba of Ethopia, Jemima Jelagat Sumgon of Kenya, and Meselech Melkamu and Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia.
Jeptoo kicked and dropped the rest, running the last five miles all alone.
Flannagan held on to finish sixth, setting a new American record of 2:22.01.
Official women’s results :
1. Rita Jeptoo (KEN) 2:18:57
2. Buzunesh Deba (ETH) 2:19:59
3. Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:20:35
4. Jemima Jelagat Sumgong 2:20:41
5. Meselech Melkamu (ETH) 2:21:28
6. Aleksandra Duliba (BLR) 2:21:29
7. Shalane Flanagan (USA) 2:22:02
8. Sharon Cheropp (KEN) 2:23:00
9. Philes Ongori (KEN) 2:23:22
10. Desiree Davila Linden (USA) 2:23:54
