Galen Rupp, Jordan Hasay Top Americans At 2017 Boston Marathon


Johanna Gretschel & Dennis Young, FloTrack 

The 121st Boston Marathon produced two remarkable American finishes Monday, including Galen Rupp, a 2004 Central Catholic (Or.) High graduate who finished second in his first appearance at Boston, and Jordan Hasay, a 2009 Mission College Prep (Ca.) High alum who was third overall in her marathon debut in 2:23.00, clocking the fastest debut ever for an American woman.

The men's race was an excellent two-man battle between 24-year-old Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya and the 30-year-old Rupp, as both competed in the third marathon of their careers. Kirui distanced the Olympic silver medalist by 10 meters at Mile 23 and went on to win his debut at Boston by 11 seconds, 2:09:37 to 2:09:58. 

Rupp's runner-up finish makes him the highest-placing American since Meb Keflezighi's win in 2014, and the highest-placing American-born man since 1985, when Gary Tuttle of California was runner-up in 2:19.11. The 41-year-old Keflezighi was 13th today in 2:17 after running in the lead pack for 11 miles; he confirmed after the race that this will be his last showing in Boston.

Men Top 4:
01. 2:09:37 Geoffrey Kirui (KEN) $150,000
02. 2:09:58 Galen Rupp (USA) $75,000
03. 2:10:28 Suguru Osako (JPN) $40,000
04. 2:12:08 Shadrack Biwott (USA) $25,000


On the women's side, in the first marathon of her career, Hasay finished third in two hours, twenty-three minutes. Kara Goucher, at 2:25:53, had held the U.S. debut record for the last nine years. Goucher and Olympic medalist Deena Kastor were the only American women to debut under 2:27 before today.

Hasay's performance isn't just a great debut, though. It's a great marathon, period. 

Shalane Flanagan's 2:22:02 in 2014, Desi Linden's 2:22:38 in 2011, and Joan Samuelson's 2:22:43 in 1983 are the only faster times by an American woman at the Boston Marathon. And though Boston is not a record-legal course, Hasay, 25, is the now the fifth fastest American marathoner in any conditions. Among Americans, only U.S. distance running legends Kastor, Flanagan, Samuelson, and Linden have ever broken 2:23:00.

Women Top 4:
01. 2:21:52 Edna Kiplagat (KEN) $150,000
02. 2:22:51 Rose Chelimo (BRN) $75,000
03. 2:23:00 Jordan Hasay (USA) $40,000 
04. 2:25:06 Desiree Linden (USA) $25,000

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