More Coverage Links:
Coverage Homepage
Post Race:
Men's Race and Commentary
Women's Race and Commentary
Complete Searchable Results
Race Day: As It Happens - Live Coverage (the real-time notes/mile-by-mile)
Pre-Race:
Race Preview & Starter Lists |
Elite Athlete Past Matchups |
Prize Money
Weekend Experience:
Pace Calculator/Spectator Guide |
Course Experience As a Runner
Extras:
Athlete/Course Videos |
Boston Marathon Books
More News: Press Releases |
News
The 121st Running of the Boston Marathon - The Women's Race
by John Elliott
Great races don't just happen - it takes an organization to put together an elite field to allow a race and prepare for storied outcomes. The selection (and attraction) of athletes is an art and for 2017 Mary Kate Shea - the elite athlete coordinator for the Boston Marathon - got it just right for both the men's and women's race.
The women's field contained a mix of every type of runner to root for: Olympians, long-time favorites, debutantes to the marathon, up-and-coming Americans and more. And the Boston Marathon creates the perfect venue: a storied course filled with history, a varied course profile, unpredictable weather and a finish stretch filled with knowledgeable fans. Every element was in place and the event did not disappoint.
The Africans
East Africans dominate distance running and play an integral part in filling an elite field for any of the major marathons. With the exception of two years in which a Russian was victorious, every Boston Marathon women's race since 1997 has been won by a woman from Ethiopia or Kenya. Any review of the possible champions for the race must, therefore, begin with the review of the contingent from Africa. The 2017 Boston Marathon featured the defending champion, Atsede Baysa (ETH), as well as a two other past Boston champions: 2015 champion Caroline Rotich and 2014 champion Buzunesh Deba. Beyond these three, the most talented runner in the field was arguably Edna Kiplagat who was a two-time London Marathon champion, past New York City Marathon champion and past World Championships winner, but at 39, most did not consider Kiplagat the greatest threat in the field.
These Africans were expected to factor in the race and help shape the story. And, as Africans "always" win Boston, one of these would be champion.
The Americans
Unlike most years at Boston, the 2017 race contained Americans who were equal or nearly equal to their African competition. Two Americans stood out from the crowd. Desiree Linden was the talented American who had represented the USA twice at the Olympics, and had run the Boston Marathon five times previously, with her best performance being a runner-up finish in 2011 in 2:22:38. Linden was always tough. On the other end of the spectrum was the newcomer to the marathon, 25-year old Jordan Hasay. Hasay had been a talented track runner who upgraded to the Half Marathon for two races in 2017 with great success and would run her debut marathon at Boston. Hasay's times suggested that she was capable of running a 2:24 marathon - something that would mean she was capable of a podium finish if she could successfully execute her race.
The Day
Knowing the athletes makes it possible to handicap the race - and the Africans and Americans previously mentioned were the athletes with the best probability for a win or top three finish at the Boston Marathon. Of course others could outperform or surprise on the day, but the race was mostly about these women. Conditions on the day could affect the outcome - and the day would be hot, making the race difficult for the runners; but there would also be a tailwind, offsetting the slowing effect of the heat.
The Race
Winning times at Boston in the past 30 years have been evenly distributed between 2:20 and 2:32 and the women began the race toward a 2:29 finish time. With the expectation that the pace generally picks up in the second half, the starting pace indicated that the women were looking at a speedy race. Atsede Baysa and Bizunesh Deba took up the leadership of the pack, keeping the pace quick and leading a pack of 12 women through nine miles. Of the expected frontrunners, the three past champions: Atsede Baysa, Bizunesh Deba and Caroline Rotich were three who would fall of the lead early, by twelve miles. Desiree Linden took over leadership of the front pack as she often does and ultimately the pack turned into a group of six: Linden, Kiplagat, Hasay and three other Africans: Rose Chelimo, Valentine Kipketer and Gladys Cherono.
Edna Kiplagat - Alone
Through the Newton Hills the six women ran together, although Desi Linden would fall behind. Into the final hill, however, Edna Kiplagat found a new gear and into the 20th mile Kiplagat laid down a 5:02 mile split - to amaze and drop all of her competition. That 5:02 mile was even faster than the men's field would run at that mile, it was truly impressive. After breaking away with such force, Kiplgat would continue on alone adding 10 seconds to her lead each mile and ultimately winning by nearly a minute. The oldest woman in the field... the one we assumed to be in the twilight of her career... proved to be by far the strongest in the field as she won in 2:21:52, the fourth fastest winning time ever at Boston.
Hasay and Chelimo
Jordan Hasay would tell us after the race that her original plan was to stay with the leaders throughout the race, but that when Kiplagat upped the pace with such force she thought better of going with her with that miles remaining in her first marathon. At that point, Hasay was just looking after her own race and would just plan to finish.
Rose Chelimo did start forward with Kiplagat, but could not maintain the pace, although she had gained fifteen seconds on Hasay. Into the final mile of the race, Hasay had maintained her distance behind Chelimo and attempted to close the gap but could only come within 9 seconds of achieving the runner-up position.
Even though Hasay could "only" finish third in 2:23:00 to Chelimo's 2:22:51 runner-up finish; we have to say that Hasay's success was nothing short of miraculous. At 25, Hasay was younger than most and not as experienced on the roads. In fact, Hasay had never raced half the distance of a marathon just three months before her debut marathon - that she could adapt the distance and run 2:23:00 for a third place finish at the Boston Marathon gives Americans hope and someone exciting to watch as she continues her marathon career.
Desiree Linden
And following up on the American theme... Desiree Linden managed to hold on to run alone in no-man's land into a sold fourth place finish in 2:25:06 - more than two minutes behind third place, but more than two minutes ahead of fifth place. Linden proved again that she is a solid marathoner - and arguably the most consistent and proficient current American female marathoner.
Top Finishers:
1. Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:21:52 - $150,000
2. Rose Chelimo (BRN) 2:22:51 - $75,000
3. Jordan Hasay (USA) 2:23:00 - $40,000
4. Desiree Linden (USA) 2:25:06 - $25,000
5. Gladys Cherono (KEN) 2:27:20 - $15,000
6. Valentine Kipketer (KEN) 2:29:35 - $12,000
7. Buzunesh Deba (ETH) 2:30:58 - $9,000
8. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:31:48 - $7,400
9. Diane Nukuri (BDI) 2:32:24 - $5,700
10. Ruti Aga (ETH) 2:33:26 - $4,200
11. Lindsey Flanagan (USA) 2:34:44 - $2,600
12. Danna Herrick (USA) 2:34:53 - $2,100
13. Esther Atkins (USA) 2:36:11 - $1,800
14. Dot McMahan (USA) 2:36:28 - $1,700 + $10,000
15. Teresa McWalters (USA) 2:36:30 - $1,500
|
