Boston Marathon 2024: Sisay Lemma wins men’s race in runaway [Video]

BOSTON –

Sisay Lemma scorched the first half of the Boston Marathon course on Monday, setting a record pace to build a lead of more than half of a mile.

Then the weather heated up, and the 34-year-old Ethiopian slowed down.

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After running alone for most of the morning, Lemma held on down Boylston Street to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 17 seconds — the 10th fastest time in the race’s 128-year history. Hellen Obiri defended her title, becoming the first woman to win back-to-back Boston Marathons since 2005.

“I decided that I wanted to start fast early,” said Lemma, who dropped to the pavement and rolled onto his back, smiling, after crossing the finish line. “I kept the pace and I won.”

Lemma, the 2021 London champion, arrived in Boston with the fastest time in …