Boston Marathon Winners Mutai/Kilel Win BAA 10K

Ten Fast Facts, Race Results ‰ÛÓ Inaugural B.A.A. 10K

Geoffrey Mutai and Caroline Kilel Reign Supreme

The inaugural B.A.A. 10K was won by Geoffrey Mutai in 27:19, marking his second victory in
Boston since April when he won the Boston Marathon in a world best time of 2:03:02. The 29-
year-old seperated from the field after half-way, dropping a 4:18 mile to leave Gebre
Gebremariam
and Sam Chelanga behind. Gebremariam wound up second in 28:11, while
Moses Mosop finished third in 28:29. Chelanga, running in his
professional debut, finished fourth with a
time of 28:31.
 
Geoffrey Mutai’s time of 27:19 wasn’t only good enough to earn the win; it was fast enough to
set a number of records. His performance
ranks as the second-fastest 10K of 2011, and he is now tied as the ninth place
all-time performer (10K, roads). Mutai also ran the fastest 10K in Massachusetts history, besting
Johnny Gregorek’s 28:15, set in 1985. Mutai may have been inspired for
such a performance after finding out last night that his wife gave
birth to their second child, a yet-to-be-named baby girl. As is Kenyan
tradition, Mutai and his wife will decide on a name for their child in
the coming days, once he returns home.

The women’s race also saw a Boston
Marathon champion come out on top. Caroline Kilel of Kenya broke from
New Zealand’s Kim Smith early on and crossed the tape in 31:58. After
the race, Kilel said she loves Boston, as well as the race course.
 

 
With the start and
finish of the B.A.A. 10K in between Boston Common and the Public
Garden, the race featured a picturesque beginning and end. To show
their appreciation and continued support, the Boston Athletic
Association donated $6,000 to the Friends of the Public Garden.
 
The Boston Athletic Association’s own Tim Ritchie and Heather Cappello finished as the top
Americans. Ritchie, a former standout at Boston College, placed tenth in 30:26. Cappello
finished fourth in 33:32, earning $1,000. Cappello also ran in college, competing for the
Providence College Friars.
 
A number of former champions were on hand for the inaugural B.A.A. 10K. Firing the gun at the
beginning
of the race was Bobbi Gibb, the first woman ever to complete the Boston
Marathon. Bill Rodgers, a four-time Boston Marathon winner, and Joan
Benoit Samuelson, the gold medalist in the first women’s Olympic
Marathon, ran the 6.2 mile course as well. Watching the race was Geoff
Smith, a two-time winner in Boston.
 
The inaugural B.A.A. 10K is now one of five road races in which the Boston Athletic Association
holds over the course of a year. Among the distances run are one mile, 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon,
and
Boston Marathon. As Bill Rodgers said following the race today, “the
B.A.A. 10K brings another great event into the B.A.A.’s schedule.”
 
Fourth place finisher Sam Chelanga ran an amazing race in his debut as a professional. Mixing it
up with Geoffrey Mutai and Gebre Gebremariam in the beginning, the recent Liberty graduate
earned valuable experience competing on the roads. But what the 26-year-old was really excited
about was competing in Boston. “It’s something you read and dream about,” he said. “I saw the
huge CITGO sign, and I’m like ‘Wow!’ this is a dream.  It’s like I’m doing the Boston Marathon.
I know that one day I am going to do the Boston Marathon, and I am going to do awesome. It’s
just exciting.”
 
Providence College graduates did very well at the B.A.A. 10K on the women’s side. In the
competition, four former Friars placed in the top ten. Led by Kim Smith, second in 32:06,
Heather Cappello finished fourth in 33:32, Katie DiCamillo placed sixth in 34:26, and Mary Kate
Champagne rounded out the top ten in 36:38.

– Compiled by T.K. Skenderian, Marc Davis, and Chris Lotsbom

B.A.A. 10K ‰ÛÓ OFFICIAL TOP TEN FINISHERS

WHEELCHAIR:
MEN: Tony Nogueira (USA) – 24:16
WOMEN: Bridgette Wise (USA) – 44:19