Getting to know… the top five male elites to watch at Boston
In the field this year is last year's champion, Olympian and World Marathon Major gold medallists and tough competitors who have done justice to their reputations on the streets of Boston in the past.
The 2017 Boston Marathon is hours away now. On Monday, the elite men will start the marathon at 10:00 a.m. on the nose. In the field this year is the defending champion, Olympian and World Marathon Major gold medallists and tough competitors who have done justice to their reputations on the streets of Boston in the past. What are the run-down facts that spectators should pay attention to as they watch Monday’s race unfold from Hopkinton to Boston? Below, we’ve rounded up PBs, wins, recent races and fun facts.
Emmanuel Mutai
Country: Kenya
PB: 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2014)
Recent Performances: 2016 Berlin Marathon, 2:10:29, 12th
Career Notes: Having completed five of the six World Marathon Majors, ran at the World Championships and the Olympics, Mutai is one of the best-known names in marathon running. He finished second to Dennis Kimetto at the 2014 Berlin Marathon and also recorded a 30K world record in the process. If he finishes Monday, he will become the first runner to have completed all World Marathon Majors including the six big-city races in addition to the Olympic and the World Championships.
Fun Fact: Mutai almost moved to the U.S. to go to school but stayed and trained under his uncle, Richard Limo, who was a former 5,000m world champion.
Sammy Kitwara
Country: Kenya
PB: 2:04:28 (Chicago, 2014)
Recent Performances: 2016 Boston Marathon, 2:16:43, 6th; 2016 Tapei Marathon, 2:09:59, 1st
Career Notes: Kitwara finished sixth in Boston last year and boasts about having won the World’s Best 10K five times. In 2014, he won silver in Chicago. He has also represented his country in the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships twice.
Fun Fact: Kitwara has used his prize earnings to support his church and schools he went to.
Lemi Berhanu Hayle
Country: Ethiopia
PB: 2:04:33 (Dubai, 2016)
Recent Performances: 2016 Olympic Marathon Rio de Janeiro, 2:13:29, 13th; 2016 Boston Marathon, 2:12:44, 1st
Career Notes: Winning Boston last year is his most notable achievement. He has also raced at the Olympics and IAAF World Championships. 2016 was a great year for Berhanu Hayle: not only did he win Boston, but he set his PB in Dubai.
Fun Fact: Berhanu Hayle was born on Sept. 13, 1994. That makes him the youngest male elite runner on the course.
Yemane Tsegay
Country: Ethiopia
PB: 2:04:48 (Rotterdam, 2012)
Recent Performances: 2016 Boston Marathon, 2:14:02, 3rd; 2016 Fukuoka Marathon, 2:08:48, 1st
Career Notes: Tsegay knows what success in Boston feels like. He placed third last year and second in 2015. He has been to four of the six World Marathon Majors and also placed second in the marathon at the World Championships in Beijing.
Fun Fact: This speedy elite has a Canadian story: in 2014, he showed up to race in Ottawa, won it and set the course record which stands at 2:06:54.
Dino Sefir
Photo: Adam Wojtkowiak.
Country: Ethiopia
PB: 2:04:50 (Dubai, 2012)
Recent Performances:
Career Notes: Canadians may know the name Dino Sefir as he won the 2016 Ottawa Marathon. The only Abbott World Marathon Major Sefir has finished is the Tokyo Marathon, which he did back in 2013. He contested the London Olympic Games in 2012 but did not finish. His personal best is dated, he ran 2:04:50 back in 2012 in Dubai. His only career marathon wins are Ottawa in 2016 and Barcelona the same year.
Fun Fact: When Sefir got into running, there were no other runners from his Ethiopian village who ran professionally.
Useful Canadian Running content for running the 2017 Boston Marathon
– Complete 2017 Boston Marathon coverage
– Course preview, race-specific tips and suggestions
– Boston Marathon jackets through the years
– A beginner’s guide to America’s greatest race
– Pre-race workout with Rejean Chiasson
– The excitement behind running Boston for the very first time
– Eric Gillis out of the 2017 Boston Marathon
– Pre-race interview with Rachel Hannah
– Michael Bergeron wants to joggle a 3:05 marathon in Boston
– Michael Wardian back to Boston two weeks after running the Barkley Marathons
– Rejean Chiasson is marathon-ready after five-year break
– How to follow the Boston Marathon on Monday
– Women’s race preview
How to follow Canadian Running at the 2017 Boston Marathon
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