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Record-holder Kipchoge headlines stacked Boston Marathon field

Record-holder Kipchoge headlines stacked Boston Marathon field
Members of the public fill Boylston Street to watch a dedication ceremony at the finish line on the ten year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings in Boston, Massachusetts, US, Apr 15, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder)

World record-holder Eliud Kipchoge headlines a star-studded Boston Marathon field on Monday (Apr 17) as the world's oldest 42.195km race takes on a sombre tone 10 years after a bombing attack near the finish line.

Survivors, first responders and other members of the public gathered on Saturday in Boston in honour of the victims of the marathon bombing, one of the most high-profile attacks on US soil that claimed three lives and saw scores more injured.

A shattered community came together in the wake of the attack, adopting the slogan "Boston Strong" in a show of unity and resilience.

"This year, I am thinking about the importance of continuing on in the face of pain and setbacks," Boston's Coordinated Response Team Director Tania Del Rio said in a statement.

"As we mark 10 years since the 2013 Marathon, we run to keep our departed loved ones in our minds and hearts."

Workers repaint the finish line on the anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings in Boston, Massachusetts, US, Apr 15, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder)
Family members of Boston Marathon bombing victims Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lingzi Lu walk down Boylston Street between the two bomb sites during a ceremony to mark the 10-year anniversary of bombings in Boston, Massachusetts, US, Apr 15, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder)
Family members of Boston Marathon bombing victims Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lingzi Lu joins Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu at one of the bomb sites during a ceremony to mark the 10-year anniversary of bombings in Boston, Massachusetts, US, Apr 15, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder)

SPEEDY FIELDS

Twice Olympic champion Kipchoge, a man who needs no introduction after he unofficially became the first to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019, is aiming to add a Boston title to his 10 World Marathon Major victories.

He will face a tough challenge in his Boston debut from his fellow Kenyans, defending champion Evans Chebet and 2021 winner Benson Kipruto, as well as Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, the 2019 world champion who won Boston in 2015 and 2013.

Ethiopian Amane Beriso, who produced the all-time third-fastest marathon in Valencia late last year, headlines a speedy women's field with twice major winner Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya and Ethiopia's world champion Gotytom Gebreslase.

Kenyan Edna Kiplagat will vie for her third Boston title with her fellow former champions American Des Linden and Ethiopian Atsede Baysa also expected to run.

The 127th running of the Boston Marathon begins with the men's wheelchair division.

Source: Reuters/gr

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