Kenya's Rita Jeptoo crosses the finish line at the 2013 Boston Marathon two hours before the bombing. (Google Images)
Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo crosses the finish line at the 2013 Boston Marathon two hours before the terrorist bombings. (Google Images)

Agence France-Press (AFP) is reporting that the Boston bombings overshadowed the actual winners of the 2013 Boston Marathon. The sad events of the day took the focus away from the historic marathon and placed it on the terrorists who targeted the finish line, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring more than 250 people. There were actual winners that day who were presented trophies by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, 23, won the marathon in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 22 seconds to become the fourth Ethiopian man to win the race and the first since Deriba Merga won in 2009. Kenya’s Micah Kogo came in second while Ethiopian Gebregziabher Gebremariam came in third in the men’s race.

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya won the women’s title in 2:26:25. Jeptoo is the the third Kenyan woman in a row to win the race. This is her second title as she previously won the women’s competition of the Boston Marathon in 2006. Jeptoo took a break  from training in 2008-2010 to have a baby. Ethiopia’s Meseret Hailu came in second place, while defending champion Sharon Cherop of Kenya took third.

Read more at Ajabu Africa.

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