BOSTON–Just how hot was it in Boston on Marathon Monday? At Kenmore Square, under the Citgo sign with a mile to go to the finish on Boylston Street, Boston EMS techs were kept busy all day long. Not with runners, but with several spectators who required IVs.
Yes, it was that warm that even spectators were urged to stay hydrated by the police and seek what little shade there was. It was so hot that the most popular spot in downtown Boston were the fountains at the Christian Scientist center just off Boylston Street.
On a day with a record high of 88 degrees, direct sunlight and just a wisp of wind, every runner in the field of 22,426 suffered. It wasn’t a record high for the Boston Marathon—that dubious distinction still goes to the 1977 Run for the Hoses where temps reached 90 degrees—but this race will go down as one that any runner who finished will never forget the struggle from Hopkinton to downtown Boston.
Of course, Kenyans won again as and swept the top three spots in the men’s and women’s divisions. Wesley Korir and Sharon Cherop somehow survived the horrific conditions better than anyone else. But they suffered too.
Korir’s winning time of 2:12:40 is the second slowest winning time at Boston since 1985 and more than nine minutes slower than Geoffrey Mutai’s winning time last year. (Mutai dropped out around the 18-mile mark on Monday.)
Following Korir to the finish were Levy Matebo in 2:13:06 and Bernard Kipyego in 2:13:13. The first American was Jason Hartman of Colorado who was fourth in 2:14:31.
Cherop was locked in a tight duel with countrywoman Jimima Jelagat Sumogong for much of the race, but won in by two seconds in 2:31:50. Sumogong’s time was 2:31:52 and she was followed by Georgina Rono in 2:33:09. The first American woman was Sheri Piers in 10th in 2:41:55.
Heat-trained Austin runners suffered like most of the field did. Although a few decided not to run and accept deferrals for next year, most decided to adjust their goals and to just enjoy the race as much as was possible. But the heat was so oppressive that many Austin runners were 20-30 minutes off their goal times. Simply put, it was a tough day. Very tough.
The huge Austin contingent was led by Ashish Patel who ran a strong race to finish in 2:39:52—his second fastest marathon ever. Following Patel was Michael Marek in 2:53:52 and Erik Totten with a 2:57:14. Zerihun Ayele was the only other Austinite under three hours with a time of 2:58:20
The other top finishers from Austin included: Jillian Moser (first woman) in 3:01:26, Colin Bell (3:07:36), Todd Withycombe (3:08:09), Tracy Shiver (3:08:13), Taylor Monts (3:10:47), Ed Morgan (3:13:03), James Moore (3:17:49), Al Rubinsky (3:18:01) and Jeff Lucado (3:18:15).
Other Austin times: Rudy Sanchez (3:11:30), Jim Ryan (3:20:32), Michael Woo (3:21:10), Jim Cleary (3:22:50), Syndey Pitt (3:24:57), Robert Moore (3:25:56), Richard Paddock (3:26:50), Kim Eldridge (3:27:30), Nate Poland (3:27:31), Kim Williams (3:27:51), Dan Guerrreo (3:28:34), Sarah McCarty (3:28:48), Dave Eiben (3:28:55), Jim Fitzpatrick (3:29:22) and Michael Madison (3:30:31).
Race deferment was a nice gesture but only pertained to the local runners. Everyone who forked out $1000+ for airfare and lodging was going to run. As a result 250+ runners were hospitalized. A better idea would be to start the race at 0700 when heat is in the forecast. The organizers had plenty of warning r.e. the heat and I don’t think starting the race 3 hours early would be logistically impossible.
Well, Chris, visti with a race organizer sometime to see how complicated the logistics of “running” a race truly proves to be. Races (times included) are planned far in advance of any weather front and/or forecast, and the outcomes are even more predictable (than the weather), with the possibility of surprises abounding!!
Cheers!!
RR
Matter of fact I am a race director although I’ve never directed anything near the scope of Boston. While directors have no control over the weather they do control the start time. Thus we may delay the start for thunderstorms or manipulate the start due to heat. You might recall Chicago 09 was cancelled at 3.5 hours to reduce the mayhem. The course at Boston is closed at 0500. With our outstanding meteorologists and social media there was plenty of time to change the start. The director is responsible for the runner’s safety.