Ethiopian Desisa wins Boston Marathon
Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa won the men's race of the 117th Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 23 seconds.
It was just his second time running the 26.2-mile distance. Desisa, 23, also won the Dubai Marathon in his debut.
Desisa separated himself from a three-man pack on Boylston Street to beat out Micah Kogo and Gebregziabher Gebremariam.
"The race was just fine for me," Desisa told the Boston Globe. "The downhill was easy, but the uphill was very hard."
Desisa has specialized in the 10,000 meters and the half-marathon.
Jason Hartmann was the top American finisher, placing fourth.
Kenyan Rita Jeptoo won the women's race.
Jeptoo caught leader Ana Dulce Felix on the 24th mile and pulled away for the win. Dulce Felix had led for several miles before Jeptoo caught her.
Jeptoo, who also won the 2006 Boston Marathon, finished in 2:26.25.
Kenyan Sharon Charop, who won last year's race, Ethiopian Meseret Hailu and American Shalane Flanagan also finished ahead of Felix.
