An Ethiopian Double in Boston

Boston – Ethiopia’s Lemi Bernanu Hayle and Atsede Baysa won at the 2016 edition of the Boston Marathon, the 120th running of the IAAF Gold Label Road Race, crossing the line in 2:12:44 and 2:29:19 respectively here today.

It was the first time in the race’s 120-year history that Ethiopians had swept both the titles.

Hayle, at 21 already a winner in Dubai in 2015 and runner-up there this January, also had previous wins in Warsaw and Zurich.

Fellow Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa and Yemane Tsegay came in second (2:13.32) and third (2:14:02) places respectively.

Women’s Race

Atsede Baysa, 29 and a two-time Chicago Marathon winner came from 37 seconds at the 22-mile mark to overtake the two women in front of her. She passed fellow Ethiopian and sometime training partner Tirfi Tsegaye with two miles left, the latter finishing second in 2:30:03.

However, the defending Olympic champion Tiki Gelana was never a factor in the race, finishing 14th in 2:42:38 and Buzunesh Deba, a frequent contender both here and in New York and the only woman in the field to have run under 2:20:00 in Boston, was seventh in 2:33:56.

2016 Boston Marathon, Boston, Massachusetts:

Elite Men:

1 Lemi Bernanu Hayle (Eth) 2hrs 12mins 45secs

2 Lelisa Desisa (Eth) 2:13:32

3 Yemane Tsegay (Eth) 2:14:02

4 Wesley Korir (Ken) 2:14:05

5 Paul Kipchumba Lonyangata (Ken) 2:15:45

6 Sammy Kitwara (Ken) 2:16:43

7 Stephen Chebogut (Ken) 2:16:52

8 Abdi Nageeye (Ned) 2:18:05

9 Getu Feleke (Eth) 2:18:46

10 Zach Hine (USA) 2:21:37

11 Cutbert Nyasango (Zim) 2:22:02

12 Tsegaye Mekonnen (Eth) 2:22:21

13 Ian Burrell (USA) 2:22:22

14 Jackson Kiprop (Uga) 2:24:44

15 Harbert Okuti (USA) 2:24:46

Elite Women:

1 Atsede Baysa (Eth) 2hrs 29mins 19secs

2 Tirfi Tsegaye (Eth) 2:30:03

3 Joyce Chepkirui (Ken) 2:30:50

4 Jelena Propokcuka (Lat) 2:32:28

5 Valentine Kipketer (Ken) 2:33:13

6 Flomena Cheyech Daniel (Ken) 2:33:40

7 Buzunesh Deba (Eth) 2:33:56

8 Fate Tola (Eth) 2:34:38

9 Neely Spence Gracey (USA) 2:35:00

10 Mamitu Daska (Eth) 2:37:31

11 Sarah Crouch (USA) 2:37:36

12 Miharu Shimokado (Jpn) 2:39:21

13 Amane Beriso (Eth) 2:39:38

14 Tiki Gelena (Eth) 2:42:38

15 Tadelech Bekele (Eth) 2:44:20

Read more at: IAAF.org