Runners From Japan, Portugal Win in Boston

Toshihiko Seko of Japan left a pack of world class runners on Heartbreak Hill today and went on to win his second Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 50 seconds, far from any kind of record.

Seko, who also has won the Tokyo, Chicago and London marathons, was followed by Steve Jones of Wales and two-time champion Geoff Smith of England.

Olympic bronze medalist Rosa Mota of Portugal won the women’s division in an unofficial time of 2:25:21. Two Belgian runners, Agnes Pardaens and Ria Van Landeghem, finished second and third, respectively.

“I was anxious to set a new record, but the wind was too difficult,” Seko said through an interpreter.

Hill Rallying Point

Seko had been left behind on Heartbreak Hill in 1979 when Bill Rodgers put on a burst of speed and captured one of his four marathons here. But Seko used the hill about six miles from the finish of the 26.2-mile course as his rallying point this year, as he did in his 1981 victory.

The winner of the men’s and the women’s races each will collect $40,000 and a car valued at $31,000.

The wheelchair race was won by Andre Viger of Quebec, who became the first three-time winner of the event. Viger, victorious in 1984 and 1986, was clocked in an official time of 1:55:42.

The event was marred by a collision at the start which toppled several wheelchairs. Two competitors withdrew because of damage to their chairs and were treated for minor abrasions.

Defending men’s champion in the regular running, Rob de Castella, who set the race record last year at 2:07:51, fell at the start this year after bumping into race marshals. He finished sixth.

The women’s division was not as strong as it might have been due to the absence of defending champion Ingrid Kristiansen, who set the world record of 2:21:06 in 1985.