Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic Champion and world record-holder who was running Boston for the first time, led the pack in the early going, with 13 athletes hitting the 7-mile mark in 32:41, four seconds ahead of course record pace. But Heartbreak Hill earned its nickname once again when Kipchoge quickly fell back. He would go on to finish in sixth in 2:09:23.

"Today was a tough day for me," he said later in a written statement. "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."

Chebet, meanwhile, bided his time in the pack along with training partner Benson Kipruto, the 2021 Boston champion. As Kipchoge soon ran alone about 16 seconds behind, Gabriel Geay of Tanzania briefly took over the lead of a dwindling group, and soon it was down to Geay, last year's fourth-place finisher, and the two recent champions.

Above: A lead group of five covered the final miles together until Hellen Obiri (second from right) began her spirited sprint to the finish.

MESSAGE FROM ELIUD KIPCHOGE

AFTER PLACING SIXTH, THE DOUBLE OLYMPIC CHAMPION AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER SHARED THE FOLLOWING ABOUT HIS BOSTON EXPERIENCE:

I live for the moments where I get to challenge the limits. It's never guaranteed, it's never easy. 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. I want to congratulate my competitors and thank everyone in Boston and from home for the incredible support I am so humbled to receive. In sports you win and you lose and there is always tomorrow to set a new challenge. Excited for what's ahead."

– Eliud Kipchoge, sixth place finisher in 2:09:23