Boston Marathon 2012: Wesley Korir Becomes Latest Kenyan Star to Win Race

The Kenyans are known universally in the world of athletics for their long-distance running, and the 2012 edition of the Boston Marathon was yet another reminder.

Kenyan’s Wesley Korir was the first to cross the finish line in Beantown on Monday, registering an unofficial time of 2:12:40. Levy Matebo (2:13:06) finished in second, while Bernard Kipyego (2:13:13) took home third place. Of the top 10 finishers, seven of them were from Kenya.

Due to the extreme Boson heat, it was the second-slowest time to win the event since 1985 (via AP). The favorite to win the race, Geoffrey Mutai, who had run the fastest marathon in history last year, was forced to withdraw after 18 miles due to cramps, as the heat crept into the mid-80s.

This was the first time Korir had ever competed in the race, and it turned into an afternoon to remember. The win was just the latest for a country that has absolutely dominated the Boston Marathon for years now, according to CNBC’s Darren Rovell:

"

A Kenyan man has now won 19 out of the last 22 Boston Marathons.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) April 16, 2012"

The 29-year-old may have been a Boston Marathon newbie, but this wasn’t his first big win. He notched victories in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010 at the Los Angeles Marathon, and he finished second in the 2011 Chicago Marathon.

For his efforts, Korir will be walking home with a cool $150,000, which is the same amount that women’s winner Sharon Cherop took home. She finished with an unofficial time of 2:31:50. Five of the top six finishers were from Kenya, as the ending was a sprint to the finish.

Despite the extreme heat, the race went on and it was business as usual for the Kenyans. There is no question as to whom the leaders of the long-distance racing world are, and the results don’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.