Ethiopians dominate

NEW YORK: Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Atsede Baysa led an Ethiopian clean sweep at the Boston Marathon on Monday with victory in the men’s and women’s races of the prestigious event.

Hayle clinched victory in the men’s race in a time of 2hr 12min 44sec, coming home ahead of compatriot and defending champion Lelisa Desisa in second. Another Ethiopian, Yemane Adhane Tsegay was third in 2:14.02.

Baysa meanwhile won a pulsating women’s race, producing a late charge over the final few miles to win in 2:29.19. The 29-year-old had lagged by nearly 40 seconds at around the 22-mile mark but then moved through the gears to build a five-second lead over Tirfi Tsegaye after 25 miles.

Tsegaye eventually finished second in 2:30.03 with Joyce Chepkirui of Kenya third in 2:14.02.