Kenyan Wins Boston Marathon

Ibrahim Hussein of Kenya beat Juma Ikangaa of Tanzania by one second today in the 92nd Boston Marathon, becoming the first African to win the event in its closest finish ever. Hussein, winner of last November’s New York City Marathon, edged past Ikangaa with about 100 yards to go.

Hussein completed the 26-mile, 385-yard, rain-soaked course in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 43 seconds, the second-fastest in Boston history. Defending champion Rosa Mota of Portugal took the lead early and breezed to her fifth consecutive victory in the women’s division of the race in 2:24:30. She won last year in 2:25:21. The women’s record of 2:22:42 was set in 1983 by Joan Benoit Samuelson.