FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ten Fast Facts, Race Results - Inaugural B.A.A. 10K
Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel Reign Supreme
The inaugural B.A.A. 10K was won by Geoffrey Mutai in 27:19, marking his
second victory in Boston since April when he won the Boston Marathon in a
world best time of 2:03:02. The 29- year-old seperated from the field after
half-way, dropping a 4:18 mile to leave Gebre Gebremariam and Sam Chelanga
behind. Gebremariam wound up second in 28:11, while Moses Mosop finished
third in 28:29. Chelanga, running in his professional debut, finished
fourth with a time of 28:31.
Geoffrey Mutai's time of 27:19 wasn't only good enough to earn the win; it
was the fastest 10K in Massachusetts history, besting Johnny Gregorek's
28:15, set in 1985. Mutai may have been inspired for such a performance
after finding out last night that his wife gave birth to their second
child, a yet-to-be-named baby girl. As is Kenyan tradition, Mutai and his
wife will decide on a name for their child in the coming days, once he
returns home.
The women's race also saw a Boston Marathon champion come out on top.
Caroline Kilel of Kenya broke from New Zealand's Kim Smith early on and
crossed the tape in 31:58. After the race, Kilel said she loves Boston, as
well as the race course.
In it's first year, the B.A.A. 10K had 3,040 finishers. The number of
people crossing the start on Charles Street was 3,060, while the number of
registrants topped out at 3,656. There were also an estimated 80 children
participating in the kids races following the B.A.A. 10K.
With the start and finish of the B.A.A. 10K in between Boston Common and
the Public Garden, the race featured a picturesque beginning and end. To
show their appreciation and continued support, the Boston Athletic
Association donated $6,000 to the Friends of the Public Garden.
The Boston Athletic Association's own Tim Ritchie and Heather Cappello
finished as the top Americans. Ritchie, a former standout at Boston
College, placed tenth in 30:26. Cappello finished fourth in 33:32, earning
$1,000. Cappello also ran in college, competing for the Providence College
Friars.
A number of former champions were on hand for the inaugural B.A.A. 10K.
Firing the gun at the beginning of the race was Bobbi Gibb, the first
woman ever to complete the Boston Marathon. Bill Rodgers, a four-time
Boston Marathon winner, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, the gold medalist in the
first women's Olympic Marathon, ran the 6.2 mile course as well. Watching
the race was Geoff Smith, a two-time winner in Boston.
The inaugural B.A.A. 10K is now one of five road races in which the Boston
Athletic Association holds over the course of a year. Among the distances
run are one mile, 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and Boston Marathon. As Bill
Rodgers said following the race today, "the B.A.A. 10K brings another great
event into the B.A.A.'s schedule."
Fourth place finisher Sam Chelanga ran an amazing race in his debut as a
professional. Mixing it up with Geoffrey Mutai and Gebre Gebremariam in
the beginning, the recent Liberty graduate earned valuable experience
competing on the roads. But what the 26-year-old was really excited about
was competing in Boston. "It's something you read and dream about," he
said. "I saw the huge CITGO sign, and I'm like 'Wow!' this is a dream.
It's like I'm doing the Boston Marathon. I know that one day I am going to
do the Boston Marathon, and I am going to do awesome. It's just exciting."
Providence College graduates did very well at the B.A.A. 10K on the women's
side. In the competition, four former Friars placed in the top ten. Led by
Kim Smith, second in 32:06, Heather Cappello finished fourth in 33:32,
Katie DiCamillo placed sixth in 34:26, and Mary Kate Champagne rounded out
the top ten in 36:38.
- Compiled by T.K. Skenderian, Marc Davis, and Chris Lotsbom
B.A.A. 10K – OFFICIAL TOP TEN FINISHERS
MEN:
Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) – 27:19
Gebre Gebremariam (ETH) – 28:11
Moses Mosop (KEN) – 28:29
Samuel Chelanga (KEN) – 28:31
Samuel Ndereba (KEN) – 29:01
Shawn Forrest (AUS) – 29:10
Simon Ndirangu (KEN) – 29:30
Joseph Chirlee (KEN) – 29:37
Elkanah Kibet (KEN) – 30:13
Timothy Ritchie (USA) – 30:26
WOMEN:
Caroline Kilel (KEN) – 31:58
Kim Smith (NZL) – 32:06
Misiker Demissie (ETH) – 33:08
Heather Cappello (USA) – 33:32
Benita Willis (USA) – 34:11
Katie Dicamillo (USA) – 34:26
Jennifer Campbell (USA) – 35:42
Caroline Bjune (USA) – 36:08
Trina Painter (USA) – 36:13
Mary Kate Champagne (USA) – 36:38
WHEELCHAIR:
MEN: Tony Nogueira (USA) - 24:16
WOMEN: Bridgette Wise (USA) - 44:19
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