MEN’S PREVIEW: A wild, exciting field for the 121st Boston Marathon

Even without the current world record holder, Dennis Kimetto, the 121st Boston Marathon has both a stacked and intriguing field. The world’s fastest runner at 42.2K (2:02:57) was supposed to race on Monday, but withdrew due to injury in March.

The clear favourite, based on both experience and talent, is now Emmanuel Mutai, the king of second place. Perhaps the most experienced and talented runner in the field, the Kenyan has finished second place at a major marathon or championship an incredible seven times. He did manage to win the 2011 London Marathon in a then-record, and has run a blazing fast 2:03:13 in 2014–one of the fastest times in history. He’ll certainly be the favourite, with all the other runners watching what he does, if he’s in contention after the halfway point.

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Mutai will have to be careful, as there are many speedy and tough runners in the field. Kenyan Sammy Kitwara has run fast (2:04:28) and knows how to place in a major marathon (second twice in Chicago and third in Tokyo) but he’s never managed to win a major race.

Returning champion Lemi Hayle, who won last year at just 21, is looking to prove himself, after a disappointing 13th place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He’s got speed, having run 2:04:33 at the ultra-flat Dubai Marathon in early 2016, just a few months before winning Boston, but he’s still relatively unproven, besides his breakout 2016 Boston win.

Wilson Chebet, who has finished second, third and fifth previously in Boston must be chomping at the bit to win this race. He’s got a 2:05:27 personal best, but it’s from back in 2011. 

Speedsters Dino Sefir, who’s run a 2:04 and is the 2016 Ottawa Marathon champion) doesn’t have as much experience as his countrymen, Yemane Tsegay (a past Ottawa Marathon winner) and Sisay Lemma (a 2:05 man, but he’s never won a major race) will also be in the mix.

In terms of grit and patience, 2012 Boston winner Wesley Korir has shown he knows how to win in tough conditions. That year is known as the “Hot Boston,” where the temperature climbed and produced one of the slowest races in the modern Boston era. 

Of course, another tough customer is American Meb Keflezighi, who pulled off one of the most emotional, dramatic and improbable victories in American sports history when he won Boston in 2014, a year after the bombings. Even at 41, Meb can not be counted out. He didn’t have a great 2016, with just a 33rd place in Rio, but he knows this race well, and will capitalize on any mistake made by the younger, faster field.

In just his third marathon, Galen Rupp seems like the heir apparent to the American marathoning throne. He proved he is the real deal in Rio, taking home a bronze medal in a warm race. If it’s hot in Boston (which it should be), Rupp shouldn’t be too bothered. Although his PB is just  2:10:05, he’s got world class track speed, which is key if the race becomes tactical.

Sadly, Canadian stalwart performer Eric Gillis is sidelined with an injury, and will not be racing, as he’d planned. He would have been a natural on the challenging Boston course. Also keep an eye out for Canadians Rejean Chiasson, making a return to marathoning after a few years away from the distance, and masters runner Christian Mercier, who always places high up in the 40+ division.