Kenyas Geoffrey Kirui surrenders Boston Marathon title

Kenya’s Geoffrey Kirui on Monday failed in his attempts to defend the Boston Marathon title, losing to Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi, as American Desiree Linden took the women`s title.

Kirui came second in two hours, 18 minutes and 21 seconds, while the triumphant Kawauchi clocked 2:15.58 .Kenyan born American Shadrack Biwott settled for the third spot in 2:18.32.

Linden, on the other hand, hit the tape in 2:39.54 to conquer the wet course amidst jubilant scenes from her compatriots. Edna Kiplagat who was defending her title posted a shocking performance, coming a distant eighth in 2:47.14.

For Kawauchi, the victory saw him claim his first Boston Marathon men’s title, capturing his fourth title of the year and fifth in a row at the distance.

Kawauchi won a New Year’s Day marathon at Marshfield, Massachusetts and followed with triumphs in the Kitakyushu Marathon in Japan and Wanjinshi Marathon in Taiwan before his breakthrough Boston victory.