Marathon Monday is finally here, but this one was bound to be different than recent memory. Typically, runners and spectators are getting with the sunshine and warmth of a spring day. Not this year though. With temperatures in the low 40s, driving rain, and wind, today looked very challenging for the runners. The crowds showed up at their usual spots, albeit a bit less in number, but still equally ready to get soaked and cheer on the competitors. There were some great races and lead changes in the last few miles of the course.
Des Linden (USA) won the women's race and Yuki Kawauchi (Japan) won the men's.
Des Linden powering through mile 24 - she went on to be the first American woman to win since 1985.
Des took the lead at mile 22 and never let up.
Gladys Chesir was in the lead pack for most of the race and was in second place at this time.
In the mens race, Geoffrey Kirui was in the lead by more than 1 minute at mile 24, although the conditions caught up to him in the final few miles.
Kirui was tiring as Kawauchi was cutting into the lead. He would go on to finish second.
Yuki Kawauchi of Japan was about 1 minute off the leader pace at mile 24, but made an incredible effort towards the finish to win the men's division.
Kawauchi was the first Japanese man to win since 1987.
Americans Sarah Sellers, Rachel Hyland, and Nicole Dimercurio placed second, fourth, and sixth.
Krista Duchensne of Canada made up ground and finished in third.
Massachusetts local Shalane Flanagan running by on her way to a seventh place finish.
Edna Kiplagat, defending Boston Marathon champion of Kenya, placed ninth.
Hiroko Yoshitomi of Japan finished tenth.
