Geay, Wacera first to tape
African duo shines in perfect conditions
Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay and Kenya’s Mary Wacera claimed victories in yesterday’s eighth annual BAA 10K, on a morning that offered near perfect running conditions for the field of 8,337 participants.
It was the second title for Wacera, who also won in 2015, but the first for Geay, who is rapidly becoming the most famous Tanzanian on Boston’s roads since countryman Juma Ikangaa finished second in three straight Boston Marathons from 1988-90.
The unquestioned stars of the day, however, were reigning Boston Marathon women’s champion Des Linden and 2014 Boston men’s winner Meb Keflezighi. The two ran together in the early miles with Meb ultimately crossing the line holding hands with Tomas Aravelo of the MR8 Charity team and BAA runner Matt Edwards in a time of 38 minutes, 52 seconds. Linden crossed moments earlier hand-in-hand with club member Katsuhiro Togami in 38:25.
“We kind of called it the ‘end of the celebration tour’ and it really felt like that,” Linden said. “All the runners were cheering and it was really great to see how engaged they were. They were very supportive.”
At the starting horn, a lead pack of 14, spread seven wide in two rows across the road, swung the Public Garden before hitting early mile splits of 4:37, 4:48, and 4:42. Shortly after the 3-mile turn-around point near Agganis Arena, young Ethiopian Teshome Mekonen made an assertive effort to wrest control on the down slope off a 4:34 mile. But, it was the 21-year-old Geay who was the most resolute in pulling away as he cruised underneath the Tommy Leonard Bridge underneath Massachusetts Avenue, with a scorching 4:20 split between miles 4 and 5.
Geay hit the tape five seconds ahead of Mekonen, who improved one position over last year. Geay, who clocked 28:24, took home $10,000 from a total prize purse of $48,500.
“I feel very good. I was 10th in 2016, and now I feel good to win for the first time,” said Geay, who hails from Arusha City in the shadows of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wacera also won $10K for her time of 31:55, two seconds in front of countrywoman Caroline Rotich, the 2015 Boston Marathon champion. In addition to her 2015 win, Wacera also finished second last year.
“My first goal (yesterday) was hoping that I could run a good race and my other goal was hoping that I could win again,” said Wacera, who trains in Nyahururu, Kenya.
Defending champion Daniel Chebii failed in his quest to become the first runner to capture three BAA 10K titles after victories in 2016 (27:55 in his road debut) and last year (27:58). The 33-year-old Chebii settled for fifth yesterday in 28:47.
“Too humid for me,’’ said Chebii, who was with the leaders until just before Kenmore Square on the return segment.
The top American finisher was former Stanford University star Chris Derrick. A three-time national cross country champion, Derrick struggled to find sufficient footspeed on the flat trek.
“Not great. It was slow early. I felt great but my legs weren’t there. It was my first short race in a while,” said the 27-yearold Derrick.
“I’m running Peachtree (Atlanta) in 10 days so I’m hoping my motivation from here will help me run better.”
The top U.S. woman was Nicole DiMercurio of Blowing Rock, N.C. She took 11th place in 34:38. The Masters Division titles went to the BAA duo of Chris Magill (34:43) and Karolyn Bowley (37:42), while wheelchair crowns were won by Tony Nogueira of New Jersey and Ashburnham’s Katrina Gerhard.