News In Brief

Boston Marathon favorite, a Briton, wins in a drizzle

Favored Englishman Geoff Smith won the 88th Boston Marathon Monday, sprinting across the finish line ahead in 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 24 seconds to beat out nearly 7,000 rivals.

Mr. Smith's time for the grueling 26-mile, 385-yard distance, under gray skies and a persistent cold drizzle, was nearly two minutes slower than the course record of 2:08.51, set by Alberto Salazar in 1982.

Jerry Vanesse of New Milford, Conn., finished second in 2:14.48, followed by Domingo Tibaduiza, a Colombian.

It was only the second marathon ever for Smith, a senior at Providence College, who was edged out by New Zealand's Rod Dixon in a dramatic finish in the New York Marathon last October. His victory here was expected to earn him a place on his country's Olympic team.

Lorraine Moeller of New Zealand was the women's winner in 2:29.27.