The world’s top marathoner came to Boston to add to his victory total in his quest to capture all six major races, but it was not to be.
Eliud Kipchoge was part of the lead pack that dwindled down to seven heading into the 18th mile, but the world-record holder could not keep up the pace as the race moved into the hills of Newton, and he fell back.
“I live for the moments where I get to challenge my limits. It’s never guaranteed, it’s never easy,” said Kipchoge in a statement. “Today was a tough day for me. I pushed myself as hard as I could but sometimes, we must accept that today wasn’t the day to push the barrier to a greater height.”
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Kipchoge finished with the slowest time of his career at 2:09:23 and ended up sixth, nearly three-and-a-half minutes behind winner Evans Chebet, who became the sixth man to win the open division in consecutive years.”
“I want to congratulate my competitors and thank everyone in Boston and from home for the incredible support I am so humbled to receive,” said Kipchoge. “In sports you win and you lose and there is always tomorrow to set a new challenge. Excited for what’s ahead.”
Read more about the Boston Marathon
- Evans Chebet defends his Boston Marathon men’s title after Eliud Kipchoge fades on Heartbreak Hill
- Kenya’s Hellen Obiri surges in last mile to capture women’s elite race in Boston Marathon
- ‘It was really surreal:’ How Emma Bates finished as top American in women’s field
- ‘Today was a tough day for me’: Eliud Kipchoge reflects on his sixth-place finish at the Boston Marathon
- Marcel Hug sets course record, Susannah Scaroni overcomes loose wheel in winning Boston Marathon wheelchair divisions
- Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri and daughter capture hearts with finish line greeting
- Ababel Yeshaneh fell during the Boston Marathon — but still finished fourth
Follow Andrew Mahoney on Twitter @GlobeMahoney.