from boston.com: 4/18/08
Continental Divide, By John Powers Globe Staff "The Big Bang happened 20 years ago, today,. when Kenya's Ibraham Hussein out dashed Tanzania's Juma Ikangaa down Boylston St. and won the Boston Marathon by one second in the closest finish in the race's history and the first victory by an African runner. So began a new and enduring era at the world's oldest marathon, which will continue in this year's 112th edition, and for decades to come. Since Hussein's triumph in 1988,
all but 2 of the men's winners have been Africans, and all but 2 of those have been Kenyans. On Monday, defending champion Robert Cheruiyot will be bidding to become the first four-time champion since Bill Rodgers in 1980, and the first foreigner since Canada's Gerard Cote in 1948. "At home they think that the tradition is that a Kenyan always wins Boston, " says Timothy Cherigat, who won here in the last Olympic year, and is back for a 5th time. Not just here, but all five of the World Marathon Majors, including last Sunday in London, where Martin Lel outkicked countryman Samuel Wanjiru to win the third time in four years. Since 2000, Kenyans have claimed Boston, Berlin, and Chicago, six times a piece, London and New York four. It's one of the most impressive streaks in sports we've ever seen,: says New York race director, Mary Wittenberg.
It's not only a matter of victories, but also depth. During the past decade, 22 Kenyans have made the medal podium here, and placed an aggregate 55 runners in the top ten. Last year Cheruiyot led a sweep of first four places, with his countrymen grabbing seven of the top ten.
Kenyans thing used to be cross country, (they won the world team every year between 1986-2000. and 2 steeplechases which they've won at every Olympics they've competed in since in the 400 and 10,000 meters. "They weren't into the marathon," says Patrick Lynch the John Hancock running consultant who has recruited the elite field since 1986, and represents a group of Kenyan runners.
What turned the Kenyans heads toward the marathon, was prize money. Winning Boston guarantees something close to immortality back home. "I was very famous." said Chebet after he'd won in 1999. The annual per capita income is $1200. The winner's purse is a lifetime's earnings, ($150,000 each) and a ticket to more. " A lot of Kenyan athletes grow up dreaming of being the Boston Marathon champion" said another official.
Continental Divide, By John Powers Globe Staff "The Big Bang happened 20 years ago, today,. when Kenya's Ibraham Hussein out dashed Tanzania's Juma Ikangaa down Boylston St. and won the Boston Marathon by one second in the closest finish in the race's history and the first victory by an African runner. So began a new and enduring era at the world's oldest marathon, which will continue in this year's 112th edition, and for decades to come. Since Hussein's triumph in 1988,
all but 2 of the men's winners have been Africans, and all but 2 of those have been Kenyans. On Monday, defending champion Robert Cheruiyot will be bidding to become the first four-time champion since Bill Rodgers in 1980, and the first foreigner since Canada's Gerard Cote in 1948. "At home they think that the tradition is that a Kenyan always wins Boston, " says Timothy Cherigat, who won here in the last Olympic year, and is back for a 5th time. Not just here, but all five of the World Marathon Majors, including last Sunday in London, where Martin Lel outkicked countryman Samuel Wanjiru to win the third time in four years. Since 2000, Kenyans have claimed Boston, Berlin, and Chicago, six times a piece, London and New York four. It's one of the most impressive streaks in sports we've ever seen,: says New York race director, Mary Wittenberg.
It's not only a matter of victories, but also depth. During the past decade, 22 Kenyans have made the medal podium here, and placed an aggregate 55 runners in the top ten. Last year Cheruiyot led a sweep of first four places, with his countrymen grabbing seven of the top ten.
Kenyans thing used to be cross country, (they won the world team every year between 1986-2000. and 2 steeplechases which they've won at every Olympics they've competed in since in the 400 and 10,000 meters. "They weren't into the marathon," says Patrick Lynch the John Hancock running consultant who has recruited the elite field since 1986, and represents a group of Kenyan runners.
What turned the Kenyans heads toward the marathon, was prize money. Winning Boston guarantees something close to immortality back home. "I was very famous." said Chebet after he'd won in 1999. The annual per capita income is $1200. The winner's purse is a lifetime's earnings, ($150,000 each) and a ticket to more. " A lot of Kenyan athletes grow up dreaming of being the Boston Marathon champion" said another official.
Later in life after long successful marriages, the 2 ended up living on Cape Cod, where he still winked at her, at the local P.O.
Not used to that, she'd get all embarrassed. 
