Date:23/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/23/stories/2003042301052000.htm

Sport - Athletics

Cheruiyot, Zakharova run to glory

The Boston Marathon winners — Kenya's Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (left) and Svetlana Zakharova of Russia — pose together during the award presentation ceremony in Boston on Monday.

BOSTON April 22. His name sounds like `chariot', and he certainly rolled through the streets of Boston, from Hopkinton to Heartbreak Hill.

Robert Cheruiyot became the 12th Kenyan in 13 years to win the Boston Marathon on Monday, and his countrymen took the next four spots in the 107th running of the race.

With the top three finishers running for the first time in Boston, Kenyans seem poised to keep their grasp on the race.

"I was well-prepared," said the 24-year-old Cheruiyot. "It is a marathon to make your name known in the world."

Svetlana Zakharova of Russia won the women's race to prevent a second straight Kenyan sweep. Marla Runyan, who is legally blind, was fifth — the best finish for a U.S. runner since 1993.

The men's and women's winners in the field of 20,260 each won $80,000.

Cheruiyot pulled away from Timothy Cherigat at the 35-kilometer (22-mile) mark, led by 16 seconds with 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) left and won by 23 seconds in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, 11 seconds.

Cheruiyot won his only other marathon, last December in Milan, and primarily has competed in 10-kilometrr (6.2-mile) races, and half-marathons.

But he handled the longer distance extremely well even though the temperature at the noon start in Hopkinton, 42 kilometers (26.2-miles) west of the finish line, was 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees F) with a light wind.

It got a bit warmer as the runners reached the midpoint, then dropped to 14 degrees Celsius (58 degrees F) as the leaders approached the finish.

Benjamin Kimutai finished second, Martin Lel third, Cherigat fourth and Christopher Cheboiboch fifth.

Another Kenyan, Vincent Kipsos, came into the race with the best time of any runner in the field and set a fast pace. He led for most of the first half, then dropped out at about 23 kilometers (14 miles).

The first non-Kenyan to finish was 43-year-old Fedor Ryzhov of Russia, who came in sixth and also won the men's masters division.

"It was a surprise for him to be in the top 10," Ryzhov said through an interpreter.

Ryzhov finished one place ahead of 27-year-old defending champion Rodgers Rop of Kenya. But at one point, 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) into the race, Kenyans held the first nine spots.

Eddy Hellebuyck, a native of Belgium who became a U.S. citizen in 1999, was the first American to finish, coming in 10th.

Kimutai, the runner-up in 2:10:34, was blunt when asked if Kenyans always would win the Boston Marathon.

Zakharova snapped Kenya's three-year winning streak as Russians took the top two women's spots and four of the top seven.

"It's a difficult course," said Zakharova, whose time of 2:25:20 beat runner-up Lyubov Denisova of Russia by 1 minute, 31 seconds.

Another Russian, 41-year-old Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova, finished seventh overall and was first in the masters competition at 2:31:30. The only other Russian woman to win the Boston Marathon was Olga Markova in 1992 and 1993.

Kenyan women finished third and fourth — Joyce Chepchumba and defending champion Margaret Okayo. Americans took three of the top 10s spots, including Runyan's fifth-place finish.

Runyan trailed a bicyclist who provided her with her times at the checkpoints and guided her to her water bottles.

In the men's wheelchair competition, South African Ernst Van Dyk earned his third consecutive victory in 1:28:32.

Krige Schabort of South Africa was second in 1:30:07 after striking a girl who tried to cross the course. The girl was treated at Metro West Medical Center and released.

Christina Ripp of the United States, who finished second last year, won the women's wheelchair race in 1:54:47. There were three competitors, and Cheri Blauwet was second in 1:54:57.

The results (top ten finishers):

Men: 1. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (Ken) 2 hours, 10 minutes, 11 seconds; 2. Benjamin Kosgei Kimutai (Ken) 2:10:34; 3. Martin Lel (Ken) 2:11:11; 4. Timothy Cherigat (Ken); 5. Christopher Cheboiboch (Ken); 6. Fedor Ryzhov (Rus); 7. Rodgers Rop (Ken); 8. David Kiptum Busienei (Ken); 9. Elly Rono (Ken); 10. Eddy Hellebuyck (U.S.)

Women: 1. Svetlana Zakharova (Rus) 2:25:20; 2. Lyubov Denisova (Rus) 2:26:51; 3. Joyce Chepchumba (Ken) 2:27:20; 4. Margaret Okayo (Ken); 5. Marla Runyan (U.S.); 6. Albina Ivanova (Rus); 7. Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova (Rus); 8. Milena Glusac (U.S.); 9. Jill Gaitenby (U.S.); 10. Esther Kiplagat (Ken).