By Tiffany Williams –
It’s race week in Boston, and the excitement is palpable as the city prepares to host 30,000 athletes for the 129th Boston Marathon this coming Monday. On Saturday morning, 9,137 enthusiastic participants descended upon the streets for the 15th annual Boston 5K, which unveiled a fresh course that thrillingly concluded at the iconic Boston Marathon finish line.
Claiming victory in the 5K was the remarkable Marcel Hug of Switzerland, who once again showcased his prowess by winning the men’s wheelchair division with an impressive time of 10:02—marking his fourth consecutive triumph. The women’s title went to the spirited Eden Rainbow-Cooper, who crossed the finish line in 12:08, raising the bar for athletic achievement.
In the footrace, 20-year-old Dawit Seare etched his name in history by becoming the first Eritrean to win this prestigious race, clocking in at 13:33. He outpaced Great Britain’s Patrick Dever by a mere two seconds and finished four seconds ahead of Kenya’s Amon Kemboi. Seare, a promising 2024 Olympian in the 5,000-meter event, fought through exhaustion, seizing the lead with about 600 meters to go, executing a series of strategic surges in the final mile that left spectators in awe.
The women’s race saw Ethiopian talent Gela Hambese, just 22 years old, conquer the distance in her competitive debut, securing victory with a time of 14:53. She narrowly edged out Kenya’s Grace Loibach, who finished in 14:55, while American runner Taylor Roe celebrated a personal best of 14:57, taking third place. Roe, the 2022 NCAA indoor champion at 3,000 meters, is relishing a breakout season as a professional, having recently captured national titles at both the 10-mile and half-marathon events in just the past two months.
This edition of the Boston 5K marked a significant milestone, as it was the first appearance in the U.S. for both Seare and Hambese.
In the B.A.A. Invitational Mile held on the same day, high school runners from each of the eight cities and towns—Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston—competed heartily. The boys’ race witnessed Brookline’s Altamo Aschkenasy surge to victory with a dazzling time of 4:25, while Newton’s Ciara Evans triumphed in the girls’ division with a time of 5:12. Aschkenasy recently clinched the MIAA Division 1 state indoor title at 1,000 meters this winter, while Evans anchored Newton North’s Distance Medley Relay team to a state championship.
The middle school 1,000-meter races crowned Brookline’s Bryce Hellendrung and Hopkinton’s Nina Clement as champions, further showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
Beyond the competitive spirit, the day brimmed with energy and joy, featuring a lively presence of celebrities and at least one overjoyed 12-year-old. Among notable participants, Boston Marathon champions Uta Pippig (22:28) and Meb Keflezighi (18:44) gracefully transitioned to the shorter distance, while Red Sox manager Alex Cora (24:47) made a spirited foray into a new sport altogether. Kara Goucher, the 2007 World Championships silver medalist in the 10,000 meters and co-host of a popular podcast alongside 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, claimed victory in the 45-49 age group with a time of 19:18; her son, Colt, finished impressively in third place in his age group (10-14) with a time of 17:30. Linden will be lending her expertise to the World Feed broadcast of Monday’s Marathon, ensuring that the excitement continues to echo throughout the city.
The 129th Boston Marathon, proudly presented by Bank of America, will take place this Monday, featuring an impressive gathering of 30,000 dedicated athletes. These runners will embark on the iconic 26.2-mile journey from the charming town of Hopkinton to the vibrant streets of Boston.
As the world’s oldest annually run marathon, this celebrated event not only embodies the spirit of community and camaraderie, but also highlights the relentless pursuit of athletic excellence, drawing enthusiasts and spectators together in a joyous celebration of endurance and determination.