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Powerful Surge Gives Hayle Boston Title
Ethiopian 21-year-old Lemi Berhanu Hayle
defeats defending champion Lelisa Desisa in memorable battle
By James O'Brien
Near perfect conditions greeted the 27,491 runners who lined up in
Hopkinton for the 120th running of the Boston Marathon: temperatures in the
low '60s; no humidity; a gentle, cooling breeze. Ethiopia's Lemi Berhanu
Hayle took supreme advantage of the crystal clear day, running away from
defending champion Lelisa Desisa in grand style before breaking the tape in
2:12:45.
Meandering through the early miles, the large pack was full of the world's
best. Joining Hayle and Desisa were 2012 champion Wesley Korir of Kenya and
last year's runner-up Yemane Adhane Tsegay of Ethiopia, among others. There
was more than enough firepower to burn up the roads out of Hopkinton.
Japan's Shingo Igarashi led through the opening miles on a pace faster than
his 2:13:14 personal best. But even that, for the field of thoroughbreds,
was barely enough to warrant them taking off their sweats. It did, however,
set the stage for an intriguing competition.
By four miles (20:07), Igarashi still held his pole position. But by five
miles (25:19), his day was done. The cumbersome lead pack swallowed him
whole and, though he hung on for the next mile or so, he ultimately faded
to 19th in 2:26:24. From this point onward, it was all about the power of
East Africa, especially Hayle and Desisa.
"I was scared of Desisa," commented Hayle after the race. "I only watched
what he did."
If Desisa did nothing, so did Hayle. It seemed as if the field was keying
off of the defending champion. "I came only to win the race," Hayle
continued, "not to run fast."
If anyone could have been deemed to be the aggressor in the early miles, it
would have been Deribe Robi from Ethiopia. Others would drift up and back,
occasionally injecting an increase in tempo. But it would quickly
dissipate, leaving Robi, a 2:05:58 performer from Eindhoven last year, back
in the lead and controlling the charge.
The gorgeous sunny day brought hordes of spectators to the course, the
throngs lining the streets in Natick and Wellesley and Newton. Halfway was
passed in 1:06:43, and everybody watched Desisa, who was watching everybody
else in the 17-man pack.
When the first significant move came, it was from Desisa himself. The gang
had moseyed through 15 miles in 1:16:43 (an average of 5:07 per mile, to
that point) and were passing 25K when the defending champion injected a
surge that immediately broke open the pack and served notice that the race
had begun.
Hayle covered immediately, as did Tsegay, but it was difficult to discern
if this was indeed a move or merely a stretching of the legs. The answer
came quickly. As the leaders surged down the broad sweep towards Newton
Lower Falls, Desisa maintained his pressure, not relenting even as he began
to negotiate the hills of Newton. Boston lore has it that there are three
hills in Newton, Heartbreak being the last and most celebrated. One could
make a strong case, however, for there being four hills, the first being
the lengthy, quad-sapping climb before the right turn at the Newton
Firehouse.
Making the right turn by the firehouse, Desisa remained in control, even
though Hayle was square on his shoulder.
The perfect spectating weather brought hundreds of thousands of
enthusiastic fans onto the course, and as they roared their encouragement,
Desisa and Hayle hammered along the broad expanses towards Cleveland
Circle, swinging left onto Beacon Street and the de facto 3.5 mile home
straight. The deafening crowds were indicative of the intensity, though you
could hardly see it in the implacability of the leaders. Desisa pushed,
Hayle hung close, the two even exchanging water at one point.
That situation couldn't last for long, and it didn't. Having covered the
mile between 23 and 24 in 4:56, closing in on 40K (2:05:58) Hayle injected
a surge just as Desisa slowed for a water table. It was a text-book move
and the change was immediate. Within a handful of strides, Hayle had gained
two, then ten, then 20 meters, and the deal was done. As Desisa stole
painful glances over his shoulder to ascertain who might be closing, Hayle
roared onward, reaching 25 miles in 2:06:39 with eight seconds in hand.
It's never over 'til it's over, but this one was over.
"I didn't believe it until the finish line," asserted Hayle, who'd break
the finish tape in 2:12:45 after celebrating on Boylston Street. "I thought
that somebody would still take over. I'm so very happy. I've won some races
before this one, but today feels like my birthday."
"The Boston Marathon is different to any other race," stated Desisa. "The
pace was very slow, but there was a wind if you went in front. There are no
pacemakers, so if an athlete goes to the front, it's hard to know how it
will go."
Desisa's runner-up time was 2:13:32, followed by Tsegay in 2:14:02, who
prevailed in a Boylston Street tussle with 2012 winner Wesley Korir (fourth
in 2:14:05).
The first American to finish was 28 year-old Zachary Hine, originally from
Massachusetts but now living in Dallas, TX. Hine placed tenth in a time of
2:21:37.
"My goal was to run conservative and have a strong last 10K," he explained.
"I was hoping for top 20. I'm excited to finish tenth." Cramps had forced
Hine to DNF at the Olympic Marathon Trials in February. "It was nice to
bounce back," he said.
In the men's masters competition, Clint Wells from Boulder, CO ran a
powerful second half to take the title and the $10,000 prize in a time of
2:24:55, almost three minutes up on Said Boudalia from Italy (2:27:41).
Spain's legendary marathoner, Martin Fiz, placed third in 2:30:57.
The Boston Marathon and what is now Marathon Weekend is all about
tradition. The Marathon course, itself, is a virtual landmark. The greatest
of all Boston traditions, though, is excellence. This year's slow times
notwithstanding, it's the intensity of the competition and the magnificence
of the winners that will be remembered, and rightly so. Echoing the words
of the second placed Desisa, "The Boston Marathon is different to any other
race."
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through
sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's
oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and
supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs,
including high performance athletes and running club. Since 1986, the
principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial.
The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with
international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York
City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2016.
The 120th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016. For more
information on the B.A.A., please visit
wwww.baa.org
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