Boston - Kenya's Wesley Korir won the men's title at the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday, closing in the final mile to defeat countryman Levy Matebo.
Korir won in an unofficial time of 2hr 12min 40sec with Matebo second in 2:13:06 and Kenyan Bernard Kipyego third, another seven seconds adrift.
Defending men's champion Geoffrey Mutai, who ran the fastest marathon ever clocked last year at Boston and went on to win at New York as well, dropped out after 30km due to cramping.
Organisers warned novice marathoners not to race over concerns about heat but a field of 22 426 started the 26.2-mile journey from 26 716 entrants.
Meanwhile, Kenya's Sharon Cherop won the women's title, edging compatriot Jemima Jelagat Sumgong for the victory.
Cherop, who finished third last year at Boston, won in an unofficial time of 2hr 31min 50sec with Sumgong the runner-up by a margin of only two seconds.
Provisional results from the Boston marathon on Monday:
Men
1. Wesley Korir (Kenya) 2:12:40 2. Levy Matebo (Kenya) 2:13:06 3. Bernard Kiprop Kipyego (Kenya) 2:13:13 4. Jason Hartmann (U.S.) 2:14:31
Women
1. Sharon Cherop (Kenya) 2:31:50 2. Jemima Jelagat Sumgong (Kenya) 2:31:52 3. Georgina Rono (Kenya) 2:33:09 4. Firehiwot Dado (Ethiopia) 2:34:56 5. Diana Sigei (Kenya) 2:35:40 6. Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) 2:35:53