Marathon GOAT humbled in shock scenes

But what transpired in the 127th edition of the Boston Marathon was a remarkable defeat of Kipchoge, who was challenged by a surge about 30 kilometres into the race before struggling to the finish line as the sixth man home, posting 2:09:23.

Fellow Kenyan Evans Chebet stormed to consecutive Boston Marathon victories, winning in 2:05:54 in sodden conditions.

The women’s race was claimed by Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, who won a thrilling battle in 2:21:38.

The men’s and women’s wheelchair races were won by Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, who registered a course record of 1:17:06, and the USA’s Susannah Scaroni (1:41:45).

Australia’s Madison de Rozario, a two-time Olympic champion, finished second in the women’s wheelchair race.

Australia’s Christie Dawes finished sixth in the women’s wheelchair race, while fellow Australian Jake Lappin collected eighth in the men’s wheelchair event.

After Kipchoge was broken by a hilly course and his rivals in his first race since eclipsing his own world record in the 2022 Berlin Marathon, he slipped into a Nike jacket and walked gingerly to a recovery tent.

While the 38-year-old led the field for the majority of the run, the race took a dramatic twist when Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, nestled in a lead pack of seven, accelerated over the hills throughout the Massachusetts city of Newton.

Four of Geay’s rivals reeled him in soon after his move, but Kipchoge was unable to match the pace.

Nike running coach Chris Bennett argued the astonishing defeat of Kipchoge was another indication of the veteran’s greatness.

“I think Eliud Kipchoge’s performance today only exemplifies more just how extraordinary he has been,” Bennett wrote on Twitter.

“He’s not superhuman. He’s just a super human that happens 2B (to be) the greatest marathoner ever.

“He has more in common with you than differences.

“Remember that bc (because) that’s why he’s badass.”

Kipchoge, the men’s marathon world-record holder and the men’s Olympic champion in the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Games, suffered just his third defeat from 18 marathons.

Not since the London Marathon of 2020 had Kipchoge been defeated, with the running legend stringing together wins in Enschede, Sapporo, Tokyo and Berlin.

Not only has Kipchoge conquered four of the six marathon majors — London, Berlin, Tokyo and Chicago — he owns the London and Berlin men’s course records.

But while the London, Berlin, Tokyo and Chicago Marathons are almost completely flat, the Boston course presents a different beast with its series of hills, including a 600-metre rise dubbed “Heartbreak Hill” about 32 kilometres into the run.

The New York City Marathon, which is now the only marathon major Kipchoge is yet to contest, is also hilly.

“The king is human,” tweeted Steve Magness, an exercise physiologist and a running author.

Commenting on the fact that Kipchoge had fallen to just his third marathon loss, Magness wrote: “An astonishing level of consistency in an event that is hard to master”.

“Write him off at your peril, though,” tweeted Tim Adams, a reporter at the UK-based Athletics Weekly magazine.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he bounced back with a bang. Even at 38.”

Chebet led home Tanzania’s Geay (2:06:04) and fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto (2:06:06).

“I dreamed to win,” Chebet said.

“I told my coach, ‘Training is good, so don’t worry’.”

The 127th edition of the event marked the 10th anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which resulted in three deaths and injuries to hundreds.

“Ten years ago, the city came to a halt,” said race director Dave McGillivray on Monday.

“It’s an incredibly strong comeback, as a group together.

“I tell people, never bet against Bostonians.”

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