A Sweep For Africa

BOSTON: Lameck Aguta extended Kenya's domination of the Boston Marathon to seven straight victories with a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and thirty-four seconds, while Ethiopia's Fatuma Roba of Ethiopia won the women's category, clocking in at 2 hours, twenty-six minutes, twenty-three seconds. Her victory unseated three-time defending women's champion Uta Pippig. Aguta, who has twice finished fourth, had to stave off a fierce run by countryman and second place finisher Joseph Kamau to take the men's top prize. With a mile to go, Kamau was close on Aguta's heels, but eventually faded, giving Aguta a twelve second margin of victory. Finishing behind Kamau were Mexico's Dionicio Ceron and German Silva. Kenyan Moses Tanui, last year's winner, placed fifth. In her first Boston Marathon, Roba affirmed her gold medal performance in last year's Olympics by legging-out her closest competitor, Elana Meyer of South Africa, by 45 seconds. Finishing behind Meyer were South African Colleen De Reuck and defending champion Uta Pippig of Germany, who finished fourth. 10,524 people competed in the 101st Boston Marathon, down significantly from the 38,000 who participated last year. Despite the smaller size, the jackpot was still fat: $75,000 out of a $500,000 purse for each winner.