Boston Marathon Race Summary: Winners and Highlights
The Boston Marathon brought together a massive global community of athletes, with 23,336 competitors participating from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 92 different countries. The event began in Hopkinton with a poignant 26 seconds of silence to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Weather conditions were mild, starting in the upper 40°F (8–10°C) range and warming to 54°F (12°C) by the time the leaders reached the finish line.
Key Facts
- Total Participants: 23,336 runners from 92 countries.
- Men's Winner: Lelisa Desisa with a time of 2:10:22.
- Women's Winner: Rita Jeptoo with a time of 2:26:25.
- Men's Wheelchair Winner: Hiroyuki Yamamoto (1:25:32).
- Women's Wheelchair Winner: Tatyana McFadden (1:45:25).
Wheelchair Division Results
The wheelchair competition began with 53 competitors. Hiroyuki Yamamoto of Japan, competing in his first Boston Marathon at age 46, established a strategic lead at the 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) mark. By the 8-mile (13 km) point, Yamamoto had built a 200-yard (180 m) advantage, which he maintained throughout the race to win in 1:25:32, beating South African Ernst Van Dyk by 39 seconds.
In the women's wheelchair division, Tatyana McFadden also made her debut at the Boston Marathon, securing victory with a finishing time of 1:45:25.
Women's Elite Race
The women's professional race saw early volatility as a small group broke away from the main pack. While most runners dropped back, Yolanda Caballero maintained her lead past the halfway point. However, Ana Dulce Félix eventually surged ahead, creating a 76-second lead before being caught three miles (4.8 km) later by a lead group consisting of Rita Jeptoo, Cherop, Hailu, and Shalane Flanagan.
The decisive move occurred after 40 kilometres (25 mi) when Rita Jeptoo broke away from the group while climbing an overpass to cross the Massachusetts Turnpike. Jeptoo crossed the finish line in 2:26:25, 33 seconds ahead of second-place Hailu. Cherop followed in third, just 3 seconds behind Hailu, while Shalane Flanagan finished fourth.
Men's Elite Race
The men's race began with Jason Hartmann and Fernando Cabada leading the early miles. By the halfway mark, a pack of eleven runners passed in a relatively slow time of 1:04:44. The field began to fragment following surges by Robin Watson, Geneti, Micah Kogo, and Dickson Chumba.
Chumba's effort effectively split the pack, leaving only Lelisa Desisa, Matebo Omari, Geneti, and 2009 winner Deriba Merga in the lead group. Desisa then made a critical surge in the 24th mile, narrowing the lead group to himself, Kogo, and Gebremariam.
In the final mile, Desisa utilized a powerful sprint to pull away from his competitors, winning the race in 2:10:22. Micah Kogo finished five seconds later at 2:10:27, followed closely by Gebremariam at 2:10:28. Jason Hartmann secured fourth place, repeating his finish from 2012.
Race Summary Table
| Category | Winner | Winning Time | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Elite | Lelisa Desisa | 2:10:22 | Micah Kogo |
| Women's Elite | Rita Jeptoo | 2:26:25 | Hailu |
| Men's Wheelchair | Hiroyuki Yamamoto | 1:25:32 | Ernst Van Dyk |
| Women's Wheelchair | Tatyana McFadden | 1:45:25 | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people participated in the marathon?
A total of 23,336 competitors took part, representing 92 countries and all 50 U.S. states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
What were the weather conditions during the race?
The temperature started in the upper 40°F (8°C to 10°C) range and rose to 54°F (12°C) by the time the race concluded.
Who won the men's elite division and what was the time?
Lelisa Desisa won the men's elite race with a finishing time of 2:10:22.
How did Rita Jeptoo secure her victory in the women's race?
Jeptoo broke away from the lead group after 40 kilometres (25 mi) while climbing an overpass to cross the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Was Hiroyuki Yamamoto a veteran of the Boston Marathon?
No, this was the first time the 46-year-old Japanese athlete had competed in the Boston Marathon.