Kenyan Woman Wins Boston Marathon Kenyan residents of Boston cheer wildly after a Kenyan woman won the 2009 Boston Marathon and a man scooped the number two prize in the men's race.There were several other Kenyan men and women who finished in the top ten positions in this year's epic race. pic byJeff Kwangwari/ Ajabu

By AjabuAfrica.com
BOSTON, Mass- Kenya’s marathon sensation Salina Kosgei powered her way past Ethiopia’s Dire Tune to win the closest women’s race ever in the history of the Boston Marathon last week.

Kosgei defeated defending champion Tune of Ethiopia by only one second, saving the face for Kenyans, who miserably lost the men’s title they had been holding for the last eight consecutive years. She took home $150,000.

During the 26-mile race, it appeared that Kara Goucher would become the first American women to win the esteemed marathon, but Kosgei and Dire pulled away from her and fiercely battled each other over the final few hundred meters.

Goucher romped in third place to the chant’s of USA ! USA! from elated supporters, who were pleased that an American citizen was giving the Africans a run for their money.

As Kosgei raised her arms to celebrate her victory, Tune collapsed just over the finish line and was whisked away by paramedics, who rushed her to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment and observation.

Daniel Rono from Kenya is glad to finish in the second position after the gruelling 26 mile race . H. Maina/Ajabu

In the men’s marathon, Deriba Merga, came  sprinting down Boylston Street to the finish line as if he had not run all day, to the dismay of  the huge crowd that had become accustomed to a Kenyan winning the race.

Merga broke the tape at 2:08:42, almost half a minute before Kenya’s Daniel Rono showed up to claim the silver at 2:09:3.

Last year’s defending champion, Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya came in a distant fifth, with USA’s Ryan Hall taking a well deserved third position followed by Ethiopia’s Tekeste Kebede.

Dozen’s of Kenyans who had turned up to cheer their countrymen were shocked at the loss.

“This seems to be an affair between Kenyans and Ethiopians,” said Jeff Kwangwari of AfrikanEmbassy.com who had come to support Africans and snap photos of the event.
 “In fact, that American dude who came in third deserves praise.”

Omondi Owalla, another brave Kenyan runner from Chicago managed to finish the historical race at a comfortable position.

 “Am glad I was able to finish after working hard to qualify for this race for the third year in a row,” he said as he hurriedly dressed up to protect himself from the chilly New England weather.

 Owalla said he was taking part in the event for charity and fun and not for material gain. He promised to return to Boston in the fall to attend the annual Grace Race in Billerica, Mass when Ajabu Africa informed him about it. The five-mile race raises funds for orphans in Naivasha, Kenya.

Ryan Hall of USA gave the Africans a run for their money, clocking in number three behind Daniel Rono of Kenya. pic by H. Maina/Ajabu

   As the race came to an end and the runners went indoors for first aid and relaxation, Kenyans who attended the event hovered down Boylston Street onto Stuart Street  waving Kenyan flags and chanting,  “Obama  yeah, Kenya yooo” hoping to catch a final glimpse of the Kenyan athletes.

Omondi Owalla, a Kenyan living and working in Chicago who took part and finished the Boston Marathon.pic by H. Maina/Ajabu

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