A race to the finish: Kenyan Cherono holds off two-time former champion at Boston Marathon

April 16, 2019 at 2:07 a.m.

by The Associated Press

Lawrence Cherono of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men’s race of the 123rd Boston Marathon in front of Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia (right) on Monday in Boston. It was the first major marathon victory for Cherono, who finished in 2:07:57.
Lawrence Cherono of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men’s race of the 123rd Boston Marathon in front of Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia (right) on Monday in Boston. It was the first major marathon victory for Cherono, who finished in 2:07:57.

BOSTON -- Two-time Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa turned onto Boylston Street with a sliver of a lead, leaning in front of two other runners with the finish line in sight.

Unfortunately for him, one of them was the fastest man in the field.

Kenyan Lawrence Cherono needed every bit of his speed to outkick Desisa in a sprint to the tape Monday, passing him just steps away from the finish line to win the 123rd Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 57 seconds.

Desisa, who won in 2015 and 2013, the year the race was overshadowed by a bombing at the finish line, eased up after realizing he was beaten and finished 2 seconds back. Kenneth Kipkemoi was third, another 8 seconds behind, one of seven Kenyans in the top 10.

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