Boston Marathon - Cheruiyot, Jeptoo return to defend titles

By Justin McMahon Apr 10, 2007, 23:06 GMT

Notable men registered this year include Ethiopias Hailu Negussie (personal best at 2:07), who captured the title in Boston in 2005. Negussie will be joined by countryman and 2006 Cologne Marathon champion Teferi Wodajo (2:08).

Kenyas Robert Cheboror (2:06) owns the fastest marathon personal best out of this year's field. He finished as the runner-up in 2004 behind champion Timothy Cherigat. Other top-rated Kenyan runners include: Philip Manyim (2:07), Stephen Kiogora (2:09), Hosea Kiprop Rotich (2:10), James Kwambai (2:10), Stanley Leleito (2:10) and Samuel Ndereba. Ruggero Pertile (2:10) joins the elite field as the Italian Marathon Champion.

Manyim most recently placed third at the Seoul International Marathon in November. Kiogora was the 2006 New York City Marathon runner-up to Brazils Marilson Gomes de Santos. Rotich owns the fastest marathon time ever run in Kenya. Kwanbai brings a strong half marathon time (60:22) as well as top finishes at the 2006 Brescia and Beijing marathons. At 22 years old, Leleito is the youngest out of the Kenyan elite. Negussie, who will be making his marathon debut, is the brother of four-time Boston champion Catherine Ndereba.

Although American men finished 3, 4, 5 a year ago, this years elite group hasn't posted a marathon time under 2:15. Casey Moulton (2:15) and twin brother Patrick (2:15) lead this years American squad.

On the womens side, despite the return of last years champion, the focus of spectators and media this year will be aimed at Boston-born Deena Kastor. Kastor, who will be making her Boston Marathon debut, currently holds the American record in the marathon at 2:19:36 as well as the top ranking in the world.

Competing for the womens title along with Jeptoo, Prokopcula and Kastor are Mexicos Madai Perez (2:22), Ethiopias Robe Tola Guta (2:24), Russias Lidiya Grigoryeva (2:25) and Lyubov Denisova (2:25) and Americas Mary Akor (2:33).

Prokopcula not only returns as last years runner up but as the two-time New York City Marathon champion. Perez owns the Mexican national record in the marathon, which she achieved at last Octobers Chicago Marathon. At 20 years old, Guta brings youth to the field. Grigoryeva won last Octobers Los Angeles Marathon in a course-record time. Denisova was the 2003 runner-up at the Boston Marathon. Akor most recently won the Twin Cities Marathon in October.

Kenyas Margaret Okayo owns the womens record at Boston with her time of 2:22:31 in 2003.

Kenyan men have claimed 14 out of the last 16 Boston titles, while Kenyan women have won six out of the last seven. The last American man to win was Greg Meyer in 1983. Priscilla Welchs victory in 1987 marked the last time an American woman won.

The Boston Marathon is a qualify-only race, meaning athletes must have met a predetermined time standard according to their age bracket. The field of runners is limited to 20,000. The 26.2-mile race goes from Hopkinton to Boston. For fans and runners alike, the race climaxes along Heartbreak Hill, which marks just under six miles remaining. Both the mens champion and womens champion will be awarded $100,000 this year.

This year's Boston Marathon will also host the 2007 USA Women's Marathon Championship. The event has a separate start time, additional prize money and is only open to female U.S. citizens.

© 2007 The Sports Network