Superb Olympic champion Jepchirchir beats Ethiopia’s Yeshaneh to Boston title

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 18 – Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir put up a sensational sprint finish to beat Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh to the Boston Marathon women’s title, clocking 2hrs, 21mins and 2secs.

The race was narrowed down to two; Peres and Yeshaneh after the leading pack dropped off, Joyciline Jepkosgei having been unable to keep up with the pace.

The two changed leads in the final two kilometres, but it was the Olympic champion who had the gas and energy to push on in the final 400m as she ensured she sprinted off to victory.

Kenya’s Mary Ngugi was third while the ever green Edna Kiplagat finished fourth.

“I am very excited because I wasn’t expecting this because the course is very tough. But I am thankful I managed to win the race. I knew Ababel was strong and at some point I felt tired and started going behind, But I didn’t lose hope and I kept fighting. I am grateful it paid off,” Peres added.

She has now won all her last three marathons; The Olympic Games, the New York Marathon and now the Boston Marathon.

Joyciline Jepkosgei who had stuck on Ababel and Peres all through the race and dropped out after 35km finished seventh in 2:24:43.

Kenyans occupied all but one of the top seven places with Monicah Ngige and Viola Lagat coming in fifth and sixth respectively.

-More to follow