FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Lead for Mutai, Defends B.A.A. 10K Title in 27:29
Geoffrey Mutai successfully defended his crown here at the 2012 B.A.A. 10K,
running away from a stellar field here on the streets of Boston. Crossing
the finish in 27:29, the fastest 10K run thus far in 2012.
"I am happy again. I don't know if you know all my happiness when I am in
Boston. It is not like other races," said the champion.
After pushing the pace through two miles in 8:51, Mutai and fellow Kenyan
Philip Langat broke away from the rest of the eight-man lead pack. Turning
down Bay State Road and running through the picturesque campus of Boston
University, Mutai and Langat were pushing together.
"I was very happy when I was running with Geoffrey because I knew we were
on course record [pace]," said Langat. "I was trying his pace, and I follow
him. When I saw the people cheering outside, I caught the morale to follow
him and run a good time."
As the pair approached 5k, Mutai began to seperate ever so slightly from
the 22-year-old Langat. While competing, Mutai said he had one thing on his
mind: to win the race for his daughter, Marieke, whose birthday is this
week.
"Last year when I was running here, my baby was born. So when I came back
to this race I told my family I am going to try to win in the name of my
child," he said this morning.
Rounding the halfway turnaround point in 13:51, Langat had returned to
Mutai's shoulder. But that would only last for a brief second.
Before the pair hit four miles, Mutai was alone once again. Running down
Commonwealth Avenue, the father of two pushed on, gaining strength from the
many competitors running in the opposite direction who offered cheers along
the way.
"I hear a lot because they are shouting at me so I push it again," he said.
"They remind me of the Boston Marathon."
Through Kenmore Square with a seven second lead on Langat, Mutai still was
within range of his 27:19 course record.
"For me, the last kilometer was slow because I lost the motion because I
didn't have anyone to pull or anyone to see that I am fighting against," he
said. "For me, I was trying to push it. I won only, but I didn't have the
time like last year."
With a mixture of a grimace and a smile across his face, Mutai continued
down Commonwealth Avenue before passing the Public Garden. Turning onto the
finishing straight on Charles Street, no one was in sight.
Crossing the finish line in 27:29, the fastest 10K run on the roads this
year, Mutai was very happy.
"What is in my mind is this is my home. All of the course records are mine,
in the Boston Marathon and the B.A.A. 10K. All of my best times are here in
Boston. I am here in Boston! This is my home," said Mutai, who picks up
$5000 for his win. Behind, Philip Langat and Ali Abdosh of Ethiopia would
round out the top three in 27:53 and 28:21, respectively. Fourth was Ahmed
Baday (28:30) and fifth was Allan Kiprono, 28:37. B.A.A. 5K runner-up Sam
Chelanga finished one second behind in sixth.
With the B.A.A. 10K serving as the second leg of the inaugural B.A.A.
Distance Medley, many were looking to see who would come out of the race
atop the leaderboard. At the end of the series -- which includes April's
B.A.A. 5K, today's B.A.A. 10K, and October's B.A.A. Half Marathon --
$100,000 will be awarded to the male and female with the lowest cumulative
time from the three races.
Entering the B.A.A. 10K, Chelanga held a three second lead over Lani Rutto
and a five second margin on Kiprono. Ethiopia's Abdosh was 16 seconds
behind coming into today's race.
By the time all had finished and results were calculated, Abdosh leaves
Boston with a one second lead over Chelanga, something that the 24-year-old
is quite happy about.
"I am very happy and excited for the Half Marathon," said Abdosh, who won
last year's B.A.A. Half Marathon. "I won last year and I hope to win again.
If I win [the Distance Medley] I would be very happy. Very happy."
In October 7th's B.A.A. Half Marathon, both will surely be dueling for the
top prize, just like the tandem did in 2011.
4,560 competitors finished today's race, which was run in near perfect
weather: 74 degrees at the start, blue skies, and 42% humidity.
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a
healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston
Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization
manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and
year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the
Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is
part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon,
BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York
City Marathon.
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