Geoffrey Mutai wins Boston Marathon with fastest time in history

Kilel won the women's race to complete the Kenyan sweep, outsprinting American Desiree Davila to win by two seconds in 2:22:36. Davila led as late as the final stretch on Boylston Street and ran the fastest time ever for a U.S. woman, five seconds faster than Benoit, who is now known as Joan Samuelson.

Kara Goucher ran a personal best 2:24:52 to add a fifth-place finish to her third in 2009. No American — man or woman — has won Boston since Lisa Larsen-Weidenbach in 1985.

"We're knocking on the door," Hall said. "I mean 2:08 last year and 2:04 this year ... It's going to come; it's just a matter of time."

A year after Cheruiyot lowered the course record by more than a minute, almost 27,000 runners lined up in Hopkinton with temperatures in the high 40s and a 21 mph wind at their back — perfect marathoning weather. Kim Smith, a New Zealander who lives in Providence, took off at a record pace and led the women's race for more than 20 miles.

The men were more steady, and they were the ones to take down the old mark.

Mutai and Mosop ran side-by-side for the final miles before Mutai pulled ahead for good on Boylston Street. The 19th Kenyan winner in the past 21 years, Mutai raised his arms in the air and grinned.

"When I was coming to Boston, I was not trying to break the world record. But I see the gift from God," Mutai said. "I'm happy. I don't have more words to add."

Cheruiyot, who had been recovering from a car accident in Kenya, finished sixth. Defending women's champion Teyba Erkesso dropped out before reaching the halfway point.

The women's pack let Smith go, falling almost a minute behind. But 20 miles in, as she ran down Commonwealth Avenue in Newton toward Heartbreak Hill, she began to stutter-step.

Soon, she had stopped completely to rub her right calf. It was only for a few seconds, but when she resumed she had clearly slowed and the pack was upon her less than a mile later. Among them was Davila.

The American ran with Kenyans Kilel and Sharon Cherop through Chestnut Hill and briefly broke out of her rhythm to wave as the crowd began chanting, "U-S-A!" The three swapped leads down Beacon Street in Brookline, and Davila led even on the final stretch before Kilel outkicked her.

"It was the most excitement I've had in a race ever and just really carried me the last six miles," Davila said. "I felt that energy, and I felt comfortable at the front and pushing the pace because of that. It really just carried me through to the finish line."

Masazumi Soejima and Wakako Tsuchida gave Japan a sweep of the men's and women's wheelchair divisions. It was the fifth straight win for Tsuchida and the second overall for Soejima.

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