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Men's Champions
Women's Champions
Men's Wheelchair Champions
Women's Wheelchair Champions
Master's Champions
An Interview With:
First Place: ROBERT CHERUIYOT
Second Place: BENJAMIN MAIYO
Third Place: MEB KEFLEZIGHI
Fourth Place: BRIAN SELL
Fifth Place: ALAN CULPEPPER
THE MODERATOR: Course record, you must be very happy about the course record.
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Sure.
THE MODERATOR: Can you talk about the race in terms of, you were off the pace for a very long time and then you came on at the very end; was that the way you planned it?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: At the beginning, I was trying because I have experience here in the course, the Boston course. I had some tips from Moses and when we were traveling from home, he told me how to tackle, how to outrun Boston , to go some times, front runner. So I follow as he told me.
At the first half, I didn't follow because I know the race is too fast and it was fine for me.
THE MODERATOR: Basically what he said was that he had talked with Moses and got some advice on the race. He thought that --
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Also, I talked to Paul, he's my training partner. He told me how I'm supposed to do.
THE MODERATOR: I guess you followed the instructions well.
Also joining us is Benjamin Maiyo . Benjamin, one of the things we noticed at the 20-mile mark, you were giving some hand signals to Robert. Can you tell us what those signals were?
BENJAMIN MAIYO: I was trying to tell Robert to assist me in pacing but Robert refused. (Laughter).
THE MODERATOR: He was trying to tell Robert to assist him, but I guess Robert was confused. I'm not sure if that was the case.
Robert, when he was signaling you, I made the assumption he wanted you to take the lead; did you not want to do that?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: I think I was following the instruction from the people that told me what I should follow. Also I talked in the morning with Dr. Rossa (ph), my coach, and he told me what I'm supposed to do. So I could not go against what they have told me, and you see the results, how the results came.
And also, I'm not run myself, 2:07.
THE MODERATOR: Basically he had a plan to run the race and he was not going to go against the plan that he had.
Q. Robert, are you surprised how early in the race that Ben began to push the pace? And did that shock you at all, were you worried that he had moved so early, 15K?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Sure, I was not -- this is a marathon, and even though, if you can go two kilometers, I was able to catch him because the marathon is a long distance, 26 miles is a big distance.
You see sometimes people that run, I think you remember when you watch, when Moses was running, the guys in the front was very far, but Moses caught them, you see.
Q. So you were thinking about Moses?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Yes. And I was here also that day. Because he's the one who put me when I was a young athlete in 2001, when I was join the association.
THE MODERATOR: Robert said he when they ran in 2001, Moses was giving him some advice.
Q. Robert, over the last couple of miles, you were looking at your watch several times, were you aware that you were close to the course record, and how do you feel about breaking the record that was set 12 years ago?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: I see when I was at 40 kilometers, I think maybe I can run 2:06. Paul told me, don't run too fast, you need only to win. Then I see I can make it. But after I reach -- I got confused when I saw the finish line, I got confused because I did see it was fast and then I start to increase again.
Q. I don't know if you know, but at the halfway mark, you were more than two minutes ahead of the course record at the time. Did you know that you were going that fast against the old course record; was that part of the plan or did you just feel really good?
BENJAMIN MAIYO: I was feeling it was fast, but my tactic was to run the course record. But we were talking last night with my group that let's try to run a fast race, let's not go very slow. So the guys that we were supposed to do it together, Lackimuti (ph), was very tired, but it was not a surprise to run.
THE MODERATOR: Robert, your history is that you've only run one marathon a year. Will you change that now for the world marathon major series, will you run more marathons?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: I always run two marathons a year.
THE MODERATOR: Joining us is Brian Sell , and we also have Alan Culpepper .
Q. When you ran Chicago very well, which is a very flat course, were you concerned when you went into the hills that you were going too fast, given how difficult this course is in the last eight miles?
BENJAMIN MAIYO: Before when we race here, we come and see the course three days ago. But when we were going through the course, I see the course, they were saying that there's a lot of hills, but when I saw the course was only two weeks, was too long for me to see the course. I had good training, so I was not -- I was not feeling that the course would be a problem.
Q. Robert, as you neared the finish line, could you hear the crowd urging you on toward that record?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Yes, I saw the clock, I see I can make it, because I know that the course is 14 or 15, I don't know, and then I see I can make two seconds or one, because I was already -- when I ran before, I thought I could make 2:56, I would have pushed from there. I got confused in the corners.
Q. You seemed to really break away and really start to take control around the Heartbreak Hill area and your overall strategy.
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Sometimes in the hills, because the way I train myself, it's good for me and I like running in the hills than down the hill. Down, it's difficult to go down, but to climb is very easy for me.
Q. After Robert went past you going up Heartbreak Hill and pulled away, did you think you would have any chance to catch him later, or did the race end at that point?
BENJAMIN MAIYO: I was thinking that he was going to slow down maybe but he was very strong.
Q. The cool conditions and the windy conditions, were you able to stay loose or did you have any problems cramping? You both looked pretty fluid in the end but did the cool, windy weather bother you that much, especially towards the end?
ROBERT CHERUIYOT: Today, I thanked God for giving us wonderful weather in Boston here. It was very nice weather. The weather was very nice.
BENJAMIN MAIYO: The weather was nice. The last three kilometers, I was very tired. So I was trying to see the finish line only.
THE MODERATOR: When you took your hat off, did you take it off because you were starting to heat up? Were you in a place like you feel you needed to take it off.
ALAN CULPEPPER: Yeah, I could feel like sweat was running down my face but I stuck it in my shorts just in case, anticipating that it might get cooler as we were going but that never really happened.
THE MODERATOR: And Meb, you kept yours on the entire race?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Yeah, just like Alan, I got rid of it early and stuck it in, because it might get colder, but I'm glad I kept it on.
THE MODERATOR: Also joining us in Brian Sell on the end.
Q. Meb, you seemed to be a bit overdressed; were you cold?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: I had a pull-off sleeve. I'd rather be hot than be cold. Actually, when I threw it away toward the end, I wished I had it on. I was a little bit, somewhat cold. I didn't want to wear a long-sleeve shirt because then I wouldn't take it off easily. So I just had the cut ones and I threw them away after I got by the fire station.
The gloves, I kept them all the way. I was not uncomfortable. I was not hot. I was not hot at all.
THE MODERATOR: Brian, you came here and did a little training run in February, I believe. How did that -- how did today compare to that in this was your first try at Boston .
BRIAN SELL: Today was a lot tougher. We hit the hills pretty well in February when we came out. We ran the hills a few times. I sort of knew what was coming, kind of held back early in anticipation of the hills, so I think that helped in the long run today.
Q. And Meb, this is your debut here and you tide your personal record. You have to be pleased with your performance here.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: It was great to be here, first I should have done it a little earlier, congratulations to all of the U.S. runners. I think it was very well done and we had five guys in the top ten or so, I haven't seen the official results yet but that was a tremendous effort on all of us.
I went out really fast. I went for it, and Benjamin kind of was not patient and I wanted to be a little more patient. We both played in Robert's hand and I wish we had a great finish toward the end, but didn't happen for me. It was 1:02:45 or so and then almost 1:07. But I'm delighted with my performance. I think I was ready to run my PR, so it was very close, plus on minus three seconds, I think it was three seconds slower.
Q. Did you feel like you went out too fast?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: I had my split and I felt very comfortable all the way. I saw a couple 4:43 and 4:45. If I keep this up, I don't know what we're going to do on Heartbreak Hill. You always think about those, Newton Hills. I give it my best and those guys had an outstanding race just like the rest of the U.S. guys had an outstanding race.
Q. For all three of you, can you talk about the significance of five Americans in the top ten and what this bodes for the future of marathoning in this country?
ALAN CULPEPPER: Well, I think for those of us that are in it, as we make our profession this way, we're not probably as surprised as some other people are honestly. We've seen it coming for a while and we've seen it building. This has been a work-in-progress for the last five or six years. Myself and Meb, this started ten years ago for us and Brian showed today that, you know, the fruits of his labor are paying off. So you know, I think it bodes very well for the future. I think three or four years ago, I don't know if there would have been as many guys that pick up the slack there when the Kenyans were fading or when some of these other guys started to really fade. In years past, they just would have maintained their placing whereas now, guys that are coming up from behind and running them down. So it's really good to see and I think it's going to be the progression that's going to continue.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Alan said it all. As long as you persist with it, keep working hard and do the right things, it will pay off. You know, today, John Hancock and BAA did a great job in bringing a lot of great guys to do their performance, and I think we performed the way we should. That's the results. My hat is off to everybody, you know, we came to run and we did it really well.
BRIAN SELL: I've got to give you two guys credit for going out with the leaders. I wasn't quite gutsy enough to do that, but I ended up running a decent time. Good job to you guys.
Q. Brian, you just said congratulations to them, but did you feel the fact that you had never run here before worked against you?
BRIAN SELL: Not necessarily. My PR coming in was 2:13. It was a good four minutes behind these guys.
My goal was just to try to run as close to a five-minute pace as I could per mile. I hit pretty well five flats through the first half, and those guys were out the sight. I was a little worried at halfway, but, you know, I stuck to the game plan and it turned out pretty well.
Q. This is for all three. Bill Rogers indicated on TV that this is a new day for Americans in this event, maybe in marathoning. To what degree do you owe that to the organized effort you received in terms of your coaching and your training?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Personally for me, I've been working with Coach Bob Larson since '94, so that's 12 years or so. The consistency of training and working with him, it's a relationship that, you know, we should be able to work together. We always have since '94, we got through UCLA and then developed to be a really good runner at the U.S. level and international level. That was today.
You know, it's exciting, I think, to be able to see a lot of the U.S. guys run well and, you know, it's fun and we don't hide anything. If they ask us what kind of training we're doing, we definitely share it, and I think that's what is going on.
ALAN CULPEPPER: For myself personally, I do a lot more on my own individually in terms of coaching myself and training alone. So that's not really the part that has benefitted me. It's more the collective effort that has come together with all of these major races. With the big five coming together with the race directors, with the sponsors, everyone now is really starting to get on board and they see what we can do. They believe in us, which really helps us. The crowd support was unbelievable. I had people along the way just, I mean, USA crowd support was incredible and people saying, "We believe in you." We haven't had that for a long time. That is contagious, for sure.
So, you know, I'm just really happy with the direction that all of this cohesive effort that all of the sponsors are coming together, the directors coming together. It's a full-time job for these guys and they are really starting to see the benefit of pushing towards the American athletes. I think it is a new day, for sure.
BRIAN SELL: I have to thank the Hansons and Brooks for having a team, because I can't do it on my own. I owe every performance to the team. I wouldn't make it out of bed in the morning if it were not for those guys. The team thing is working for me, and like Alan said, too, the American support out there on the course was amazing. It was really good.
Q. How difficult was it when you see this insane pace going into the hills, to stay at that level, and for Alan, when you were with the pack and kind of lost contact, were you confident they might come back to you as they did last year?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Well, the pace was, you know, pretty consistent for me, low 40s, 4:43, 45. At the beginning it was five minutes even or so. It felt pretty comfortable. There was some spots where I did not see the mile mark person for me and I couldn't engage, I knew we were at mile 10 or 12 or 13 but I could not get every split for the mile.
The crowd was just phenomenal, "go USA," and "go Meb," the chanting like that, for me personally toward the end, that's what carried me in. Could have gave up after middle of Newton Hill, but I look back -- it just forces you to push hard and we were phenomenal. That's about it for me.
ALAN CULPEPPER: For myself, I came into this race really with the mindset of "I'm here to race." So honestly, I didn't even check any splits until I started to get left. So probably not -- the first ten miles, I didn't look at any splits, which it's good and bad. I mean, it was good because I didn't panic. I was just running how I felt. I think that was a testament to the day, just you could just feel better. For me, I kind of had to switch modes as soon as I started to pull back a little bit and I went through halfway, in 1:03:25 or something, and that's pretty quick. Gosh, I can't tell you how much different people have told me that to run well here, you've got to be conservative, you've got to be conservative, you've got to save it, you've got to save it. So my mindset was try to relax as much as you can and feel good.
I kind of switched more into a time mode, keep trying to run five minutes a mile and a lot of guys will come back, which I was pretty confident of that. Unfortunately I was one of those guys towards the end. (Laughter).
The positive split after 1:03 is pretty expected on this course.
THE MODERATOR: Alan, it seems in your history you chased guys down at the end of the race, you fell back and you were back to 9th, 10th, 11th and yet to finish where you did in the top five, did you get to a point where you felt like you had to be conservative enough that you had enough left to chase some people down or did you just get a second wind so to speak?
ALAN CULPEPPER: No, it was more a matter of just maintaining. I was really trying to maintain through the hills and that's what I was able to drop the three guys that were hanging on me and sat on me for about five miles and I was able to pick off three guys through the hills. I felt good through the hills. As soon as you come out through the top, the last two years my hardest mile is from 22 to 23. There's really nothing there, I don't know why. But it's like you've come through all this stuff and all of a sudden you're like, "oh, good, kind of a relatively flat mile." Both years, I felt horrible on that mile. It was one of my slowest miles. There's just something that physiologically happens when you've gone through all of these different undulations.
For me it was more of a matter trying to maintain. It wasn't really a second wind, per se.
Q. Brian, I don't know if you took a tally out there, but do you know how many people you passed during this race?
BRIAN SELL: No. I saw John Carrera. It was nice to pass him. (Laughter).
No, I don't know -- when those guys went out like they did really fast, I kind of went into the mode I was in in Helsinki where I just kind of let the pack go and hoped I would see them again. I think today was obviously a course record day. But, you know, a lot of guys went out a little too hard. So I lucked out.
THE MODERATOR: So Brian, in retrospect, did you survive Wrestlemania?
BRIAN SELL: I guess so.
ALAN CULPEPPER: When Brian went by me, I thought he was some guy that jumped on the course. (Laughter).
BRIAN SELL: I was waiting for that 46-second quarter. (Laughter).
ALAN CULPEPPER: I thought I was clear.
THE MODERATOR: We won't talk about that anymore.
Q. When was that?
BRIAN SELL: The very last left turn, I was hoping it was a Kenyan or something up there. (Laughter).
THE MODERATOR: Boylston Street?
ALAN CULPEPPER: I just passed this woman and I'm like, "Man, she's coming back good." (Laughter).
Q. Could Meb elaborate a little, you said you and Ben might have played a little bit into Robert's hands, could you elaborate on that a little bit?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: It was quite a bit of wind, and Benjamin was moving left, right, left, right, so it's like I won't stay on him, so that's understandable, but we definitely were not using tangents. I knew he was getting tired because he missed one of his forwards, I think it was 25k. But it was a question I discussed, I really thought I had a great shot of winning this. I came in to win it and I positioned myself. When Yan (ph) left early on, we were probably like, okay, maybe he's helping somebody out or if he's going to finish or anything like that. When Benjamin went and I have to respond, I knew I was playing risky, but I looked back a few times and there was a big group coming. But at the same time, I was really shocked to see Robert coming because he wasn't really -- it wasn't a progressive move that he did. He was just kind of just jumped on us. We talked a little bit, so let's go with him, I tried to go with him for a while, I tried to catch Benjamin and he just looked strong and those negative splits that he did early on, I think that was going to hinder me. It was just Robert -- this course takes a lot of strategy, a lot of patience, and I didn't think I was patient enough today. But at the same time, you know, when you're trying to win, you can't let guys have too much of a gap. He finished second, he didn't fade away and finish 10th or 15th. So I gambled and if it was after 15 or 17 miles, definitely have to respond to that. But it was early on and a legitimate guy, so therefore I have to do what I have to do. And that was go out hard and I thought at least, if he does win it -- but the course takes a toll on you and that's part of the Boston course.
Q. Was that your competitive nature when you saw him go, you said, I have to respond, or was that the way your coach and your team, you were told to do?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: We discussed all of the strategies with coach and at the end of the day, you make your own decision on the race day. Like when he left early on, just let him have it. We're eventually going to work as a group, Alan and I were there and eventually we'll catch up to him. But I'm a competitive guy, I love being in the front, and, you know, some days it pays off, some days it doesn't. It wasn't a good race for me and I definitely think there's more to come. I definitely feel people who have been helping me in San Diego, people that knew me, this was a course for me, but at least first you have to experiment with it and now I've got a feeling of racing on it, just like I did in New York the first time and it's very, very familiar course to me in New York and hopefully that will be the case in the future here.
ALAN CULPEPPER: I think we have the sense Maiyo coming in was going to be one of the guys to watch out for. It seemed pretty obvious to me that John was helping him, the way he took off, and the way Benjamin was the one always trying to bridge that gap, and then we go through a water stop and something, and boom, there they would go again and you go up a little hill and it's always you making those moves. It seemed pretty clear that Benjamin, he's the guy to watch out for. That's where Meb would make those conscious decisions in the race. You could tell which guys are the fittest and you could tell which guys feel the best. And especially if they are not doing much work, but getting help, so you know, that's why Meb responded to those, and likewise myself. You have to respond to those but still trying to stay within yourself. It's a delicate balance, because you don't want the race to go without you, but you also know you have 22 miles to go and when we're running some of those 4:40 miles, so it's a balance.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: At the same token, Timothy and Benjamin, they were talking among each other, so there was -- Timothy was looking at me probably to see how I was feeling and what was going on. They kind of talk among each other and they made a move again. I'm just like, okay, be ready, they are going to make a move. But that's part of the game and we live and learn. But let's not forget about what we accomplished today. Like Roger said, it's a new beginning and my hat is off to everybody who ran really well, especially the people with the PR.
Q. The first time with this many Americans up high since before prize money and they are running 2:19s. What does it say, even more the placement, you're looking at 2:09, 10, in terms of how American marathoning has gotten better.
BRIAN SELL: I think it's a step in the right direction, anyhow. I'm still really hungry. I want to be up with the leaders. Maybe not next time, but two marathons from now, and hopefully in 2008, the Olympics, we can take a few more medals. That's the big goal. This is a step in the right direction.
ALAN CULPEPPER: Yeah, the sport, obviously, it's a lot different now than it was prior to prize money. Even the beginnings of prize money, it was a different -- whole different setup back then. And especially American distance running and male marathoning, back in the early '80s, that's kind of all there was, in a sense, you know what I mean. There was road racing and marathoning. So every road race you did was in preparation for some marathon. That's why we had 200 guys running under 2:20. Whereas now, there's a lot more options and a lot more incentive to stay on the track or make an Olympic team to that distance, or make a PR before you move up to the 5k or 10K before you move up to a marathon.
For me, I don't think we're going to get back to those days where we have hundreds of guys running 2:20, but that's not the goal. The goal is to have guys like Brian in 2012 running great and lies like Meb and I continue to run great through the rest of our career, so it's this progression, where today it showed that. Maybe we didn't have as many people run, in the 2:18, 19 range, but we had more guys run up in the front so that's the goal.
Q. Given the strategy that Alan and Meb came here with, do you think that next year you might adopt it or your strategy might evolve to where you want to stay with the lead back pack and let it all hang out so to speak?
BRIAN SELL: I'm going to play it on what the leaders do. I went in, I knew what kind of fitness I was in, I knew I wasn't ready to make it a four or five-minute jump. I made a three-minute jump and I'm pretty happy with it. I try to race to where I feel I'm at, and you know, eventually, if I keep improving that level, yeah, I'll be up there mixing it up with those guys but one step at a time I guess.
Q. What part of the course was the most fun for the three of you?
ALAN CULPEPPER: The finish.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Probably, I think it was the big crowd by west lake. You hear about it, you read about it, but when they are chanting "Go USA, go USA," you're still feeling good, and you can say, you know what, I'm glad I'm here. Personally, the end, like Alan said, when I cross that finish line. Some days are tough.
BRIAN SELL: I thought the start was really good, too, with the fly over and stuff, and the Star Spangled Banner was really nice. It was really emotional.
Q. You all concerned points more the marathon majors series. Will that be part of your regimen now, the series and the Olympics?
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: Personally when I decided to come here, you know, it wasn't part of the plan for the world major marathon but I'm glad it is, and you know, like Alan said earlier, the new directors are doing a great job in being able to have us there and provide sponsorship. This is what we do for a livelihood. It's great stuff for us and encouraging for us because we got points at the beginning and not waiting until next year or so to say, let me get a few points. Boston was the first one and definitely all of us here are delighted to be the initiators of that.
So we might play some strategy, I guess, to be able to do well and with the Olympics or the major marathons instead of going to other marathons that are not on the list.
ALAN CULPEPPER: Those races are the greatest races in terms of what we try to do in terms of marathoning. So those are the ones you want to go to anyways.
So that's what is nice about it, so now there is this little extra bonus, for those of us that got points, it's nice to have that little extra incentive there. I don't know if that necessarily influences it, because those are the races you hope to be competitive in any ways. I just think it's good because it brings more exposure. We were talking about it right now, there's going to be things written about it, but it's just going to be a heightened level of exposure to our sport as a whole.
So again, for those of us that this is our profession, that's what I'm excited about is, just, you know, I'm answering questions about it, so that's a good step forward.
Q. Boston is a one-of-a-kind course, you have all of the commotion during the first half of the race with the downhills and that, and then positions are kind of set in when you go up the hills, but one of the unique things of Boston is you guys are like NBA players because for the last four miles; you're running in front of 20,000 people. What does that feel like? What is that experience like of being on an NBA stage with 20,000 people during that last stretch?
ALAN CULPEPPER: For me it's amazing because the last part of the marathon is amazing, especially this one. It's a great distraction. I found myself trying to get over to the side of the road to get that deafening crowd noise to distract and you just keep those positive thoughts going.
Yeah, that's what makes this race incredible, and that's what is so encouraging when you -- that the crowd doesn't -- they are not real selective. They don't care if you're having your best day or worst day. They are pumped up. I saw a lot of beer cups out there and everyone was pumped up. On the tough part of the course, that's when the crowd really brings it home.
MEB KEFLEZIGHI: This is the 110th anniversary. It's a tradition that Boston has. So to be able to -- for me today wasn't like, it's my first time obviously, but, you know, I was hanging on like I said. But they were still, "USA, USA," the whole way. And that drives you and motivates you and keeps you going. It's a unique sport that we have. You can do it at any age, they have a sign, "Go Meb" or "U.S." or American flag. It's beautiful. It's the closest you can get to the vicinity of the runners and some of them want to give you a high-five. I was close to giving them five, but just kept focused. It's neat that we have the exposure and fan level. You hear about it, read about it, but it's amazing.
ALAN CULPEPPER: One thing that was really cool was through the hill, especially the first hill, the Newton Hills after you make the turn at the fire station, you're hugging the turn because it bends to the left. At that point, it went through my mind, I felt like I'm in the Tour de France because the crowd is opening as you go by. People are like out on the roadway and as you come they were moving back and it's like, oh, "Go USA," you can't see because people in front are blocking them. That part was really cool, actually.
THE MODERATOR: Gentlemen, thank you very much.
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An Interview With:
First Place: RITA JEPTOO
Second Place: JELENA PROKOPCUKA
Third Place: REIKO TOSA
Thirteenth Place: EMILY LEVAN
THE MODERATOR: Joining us, second place winner, Jelena Prokopcuka, and third place finisher, Reiko Tosa.
Q. This was your debut in Boston ; how did you find the course?
REIKO TOSA: First of all, I would like to thank John Hancock and the Boston Athletic Association for bringing me here.
I did go through the course with Dr. Horouchi (ph). But once I'm on the course and running, the course was much tougher than I expected. I had a good time running until 30K or so leading the pack, but especially around 35K, I really had a rough time running.
Q. We noticed that the difference today in terms of the weather was a lot cooler today than the last time you ran here, did that help you?
JELENA PROKOPCUKA: Yes, the weather was very nice for racing. I was feeling very good. The race was very fine and very good. I am very happy. (Smiling).
Q. Reiko, we noticed that you led most of the race and then you gave up the lead, was it because of the course giving you trouble, or was that your strategy?
REIKO TOSA: It was because the course was tough. Nothing about the strategy. (Laughing).
Q. When she jumped out in front of you the last two miles and put that surge on, did you think you could still catch her at that point?
JELENA PROKOPCUKA: Yes, the last two miles, I thought I could do it. But I didn't do it. It wasn't -- it wasn't possible.
Q. Regarding the weather, do you think it was warm enough or cold enough to be covered as you were?
REIKO TOSA: As for me, I felt that I preferred warmer climates, so it probably wasn't helping me.
Q. Might you adopt a different strategy next time around and maybe not lead from the start and try something different next time and not do all the work?
REIKO TOSA: I feel that if I feel good, I probably would have just kept on going anyways. It just kind of was a spontaneous reaction. If I feel good, I would probably go ahead anyways.
In other words, I probably would not change my strategy.
Q. If I could ask both of you to comment. Jelena, how do you feel about the Marathon Majors Series?
JELENA PROKOPCUKA: I felt very good and maybe I didn't have some training that I have had before, in the New York City Marathon. Because before New York City I used altitude training. Before Boston , I didn't use, because it was impossible. And Rita was very strong today.
Q. If you could address, the Marathon Majors Series, are you looking forward to competing that and earning the additional prize money?
REIKO TOSA: I don't necessarily have many opportunities to run international races. I feel that any race I compete, I would like to do my best, regardless of if it's a Marathon Major or not.
Q. When you were dropped going up Heartbreak Hill, did you realize how steep and difficult this hill was? And two, were you surprised you were able to catch back up to the group after you had fallen back?
REIKO TOSA: First question, I did not know where the Heartbreak Hill was. (Laughter).
And going down the hill after the top of Heartbreak Hill helped me catch up, so it wasn't so much of a surprise.
THE MODERATOR: Joining us, Rita Jeptoo from Kenya .
Congratulations, can you talk to us a little bit about the problems that you had getting here? You came in very late and I'm wondering whether or not that might have even helped you.
RITA JEPTOO: Yeah, I have problem but the last two weeks, I go to the embassy, but she told me maybe I cannot come to America . But I'm happy because I go there, I got the visa. But my problem is my passport is lost after two weeks. But now after two days, my passport is coming and I'm happy, because I lost my passport and at the last minute I come here and I feel very happy to come here and to post my fastest. This is my fastest marathon in America , so I am happy, so much, and I won and this is my best time.
I don't know, I don't have anything I can tell because I'm happy so much. (Smiling).
THE MODERATOR: You said it very well, I think. (Applause).
Q. For Rita, just wanted to ask, did you speak with any of your fellow Kenyans before the race just to get an idea of the course; since you got here so late, did you talk to any of the other Kenyan runners to get an idea of how you should run today?
RITA JEPTOO: No. Because I'm not coming from Kenya ; I come from Italy direct, so I come from Kenya two weeks before. But I train in Kenya one month and a half. But I think I'm alone with my coach. But my training is very good in Kenya and it is only this problem of the passport. But all things are very good, I don't have injury and I train very well. I hoped to come here trained very well, because this is my first big marathon and in Helsinki was my best time, 24. My coach is telling me, I hope to run very well, because I don't know if she knows if I can run good, because she train me and she don't come here because she have also problem for visa.
Q. So you came by yourself?
RITA JEPTOO: I come alone. So always problem. But I'm happy.
Q. Did you talk with any of your Kenyan countrywomen who have won this race before while you were over there, Catherine (Ndereba) , perhaps?
RITA JEPTOO: No.
Q. Your race in Helsinki had to give you a big confidence because you were able to run with Paula Radcliffe and some of the top runners for much of the race. Did you carry that confidence into this race?
RITA JEPTOO: I think in Helsinki , I don't know, because I come from behind and the first half of the marathon I come slow. And the last half of the marathon, I go fast, because I don't know, my body is not feeling very well to start. But when I run the last part of the marathon, I run fast. If I run by kilometer, it's the same as Catherine and Radcliffe , the last part third of the marathon. I don't know about Helsinki because I start and my body is not feeling well to start very fast.
Q. You got stronger as the race went along?
RITA JEPTOO: Yeah.
Q. Jelena , you were the only one of the three that has raced here before; did the underpass at all, the change in the course, did that have any effect on your race?
JELENA PROKOPCUKA: Yeah, I felt myself more stronger than two years ago. So the race was more easy for me today.
Q. This question is for Rita. Were you worried that Jelena would catch you in the last kilometer before the finish?
RITA JEPTOO: Yeah, of course. Because the last half, the last two kilometers, I looked behind and I saw Jelena , and I think she's coming to catch me, because everybody is very tired and I hope to -- I don't know. I don't know what to say, I'm happy because she finished number two behind me, and also, you are happy, and me, I'm happy. (Laughter).
THE MODERATOR: We have a happy group here.
Q. It looked like you were really struggling when you were in those hills; how were you feeling through that, like when you dropped back a little bit?
REIKO TOSA: It was a tough race. I kept thinking Which one is the Heartbreak Hill, because all the hills were tough. (Laughter).
Q. Is there anything now looking back you might have wanted to do differently in the race?
JELENA PROKOPCUKA: No. I did all what I could.
REIKO TOSA: I did my best, so if I had to run over again, I would do the same tactics.
The only thing would be I would train harder to be tougher in the last five kilometers.
Q. I would like to know about your training over the last six months, the kind of training you did, the track training or long runs, whether you trained with other people or you trained alone and where you trained.
RITA JEPTOO: I trained in my home in Hedurat (ph) but the place where I train in my town, I train with Salena Kuskay (ph) and my coach.
THE MODERATOR: She trained with her coach and some of her teammates in her home.
Q. What kind of training did you do? Can you describe your training day? Lots of hills, long miles, short distances?
RITA JEPTOO: No, it's long. Because I do marathons, so I don't go short distance. It's long.
Q. You got here to Boston late; when did you arrive and did you get a chance to see the course?
RITA JEPTOO: I arrived on Friday.
Q. And did you get a chance to see or run on the course at all, or was the first time you saw it when you lined up?
RITA JEPTOO: Yeah.
Q. You started slow, because you said your body did not feel fast; when did you start feeling fast and how did you feel with maybe at 35 kilometers, were you very confident then?
RITA JEPTOO: I could feel when I'm at 35, but when I saw Jelena, I know Jelena and she is very strong, because this is the fastest time to run with these ladies. So I'm not feeling to go very fast, because I think she can -- she is faster than me, I don't know. But when I'm 38 kilometers, I'm feeling to go, I'm feeling to move, so I cannot wait. So I decide to go the last minute.
THE MODERATOR: At 38 kilometers is when she felt she could make her move.
We have Emily Levan, the top American finisher.
Q. The passport problem you talked about earlier, did you physically lose the passport, and how did you get it restored?
RITA JEPTOO: I don't know, because this is another story. Because I lose the passport, I don't know why I lose, I go to embassy and she told me she can send. At the last minute she told me that I write the wrong address, but I didn't write the wrong address because I know my address. And she told me, okay.
Q. Did you have the passport or was it at the embassy?
RITA JEPTOO: At the embassy.
THE MODERATOR: So she had a bad or wrong address for some reason, and that's how come she didn't get her passport.
Q. Just a technical question, this is at the embassy in Italy or in Kenya ?
RITA JEPTOO: In Italy .
THE MODERATOR: Emily, you ran the marathon last year and you finished 12th. You're right there again, this year 13th. How would you judge your race this year as opposed to last year?
EMILY LEVAN: I feel like I had a great race this year. Coming into it, I wanted to hit a six-minute pace and pretty much hit that the whole way.
After last year, I struggled quite a bit last year during the race, just not feeling that great. So I was a little bit, I guess, cautiously optimistic about what I could do this year.
And just from the beginning of the race, I felt strong and confident and just decided to go for the six-minute pace that I had set for myself. I was able to maintain it throughout the whole race. I lost a little bit of time on some of the hills, but I was able to make up that time on the downhills. I just felt very strong the whole way and really pleased that I was able to put forth a good effort today.
THE MODERATOR: You're living in Maine right now?
EMILY LEVAN: Yes, I am.
Q. And you're in school studying to be a nurse?
EMILY LEVAN: I graduated in December and I'm currently working part-time as an emergency department nurse in a local hospital.
Q. How is that going with your training?
EMILY LEVAN: It's great. Working part-time makes it relatively easy to put the training in. Some of my days are long, I tend to work 12-hour shifts so I get up early on those days to get in some training runs, but it's worked out pretty well so far.
Q. Do you plan on coming back next year, and if you do, do you think you could do a little better, do you think, now that you know the course?
THE MODERATOR: She's laughing already.
RITA JEPTOO: No, I don't know about next year. I hope to come and to -- I know the course now, but if you know the course and you're not ready, it's useless. But when you are ready and you know the course, it's better. (Smiling).
Q. Emily, can you tell us what, if any, impact, the weather had for you today versus last year?
EMILY LEVAN: Sure, the weather was ideal today, really, except for the slight wind coming into the city. It was just a perfect day to run a race. The clouds and the cool temps were great. Especially for me, training in Maine , I'm not accustomed to the warm weather that we sometimes get in this race, especially after training through the winter.
So I think today, everything really fell into place quite nicely for me to have a good race and run a PR.
Q. You had a victory in Paris just about a month ago. Did that help you prepare for this race? The race that you ran in Paris last month, the half-marathon, did that put you in a good place coming into today?
RITA JEPTOO: To come here? I think when I come to Paris to run the half-marathon, already I know that I come to Boston . So I prepare for Boston ; not for Paris .
Q. Emily, how many hours do you work, about, in a week? You say you work part-time?
EMILY LEVAN: I do, I work 24 hours a week, usually two 12-hour shifts.
Q. $100,000, minus taxes and the commission you'll have to pay your manager, is still a lot of money. Do you have any plans for what you would do with your winnings?
RITA JEPTOO: I don't know. I don't have to say, anything.
THE MODERATOR: She doesn't know. I don't think she's thought about it yet.
Q. You are a member of the BAA. What does it mean to you to be part of that club, and how did your team do today?
EMILY LEVAN: I feel really honored to be a part of the BAA. I joined up with the team shortly after this race last year. It's just been a great organization to be a part of, and I don't yet know how our team did. I know that Carly Gretek (ph), one of the other elite women ran a PR as well today. Last I heard, we were still waiting for some other results from the folks on our team. I'm hoping they were able to put forth a good effort today, too. I just hope I can continue to support our teammates and represent the BAA well.
Q. Did you talk to that other fine graduate from Boden College about what it's like to run in the marathon?
MILY LEVAN: Joan Sammeson (ph) and I have talked about running and our successes, and it's really fun to represent the State of Maine and Boden College and hopefully I'll be able to continue to do so in future races. Q. Was your daughter able to see you run today, and do you still get to train with her?
EMILY LEVAN: My daughter turned two in January, and I do quite a bit of training with her in a baby jogger, still, when the weather cooperates.
She was out there, I didn't see her on the course. They usually are at the corner of Commonwealth, so I missed them this year. We managed to teach her how to say "Go mom" earlier this week, so I'm sure she was out there yelling and screaming as she saw me running by.
Q. What was your time today?
EMILY LEVAN: 2:01.
Q. You keep getting faster, so what are your goals at this point?
EMILY LEVAN: Well, kind of my long-term goal right now is looking toward the 2008 Olympic trials. So between now and then, I want to see how much lower I can get my time. I was fortunate enough today to get underneath the A qualifying standard of 2:39, and that was one of my goals coming in.
So from here, I'm just going to take it one training cycle at a time, essentially, and see how much I can lower my time and how competitive I can make myself for the 2008 Olympic trials and see where we go from there.
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An Interview With:
First Place: ERNST VAN DYK
Second Place: KRIGE SCHABORT
Third Place: KELLY SMITH
Q. How does it feel to have two South Africans in the top two?
KRIGE SCHABORT: It was the sixth time I've got second place here. Today was my sixth time in second place, and always behind either Ernst or four times behind him. It's really great to have two South Africans.
I'm proud to be South African, especially to have a strong field and the fact that we are two of the elite athletes here, that's great.
Q. The question I asked the women's winner also, do you see the sport, wheelchair racing, really being something that could grow in it's come a long way, but there's still relatively a handful of people that compete at any level, whereas there are millions of people who are running marathons. There are plenty of people in wheelchairs and with disabilities who could be doing this; do you see ways that this sport could grow in?
ERNST VAN DYK: I looked at New York last year, the New York Marathon and they had about 30 or 40 runners lined up for the elite running start. When you look at 30 elite runners and there's 25,000 other runners, and here it's a very high quality field. It's very expensive to do all these races. And as you said there's a lot of wheelchair racers around the world, but there's not that many, but to come for Boston for a week it's a thousand dollars, and if you come in last place, it's an expensive sport to do.
New York has a good field now because they actively recruit a wheelchair field. Races like Peachtree ; I was in Paris on Sunday, Paris had a great field. It depends what the race wanted to do. If they want to have a good wheelchair field and put money into it, they have to put money into it, there's a lot of good guys in the world and I race in Japan every year and they have 300 wheelchair races but they actively recruit. It's a big sport, if you look at 300 wheelchair races in a marathon. It's about giving everybody a motivation to come to the race and give everyone a reason to come.
KELLY SMITH: I just wanted to talk a little about grass roots. Everywhere requires a good grass roots foundation. If you look around the country where there's good strength and numbers in wheelchair racing, it's because that country invests a lot and recognizes the value of grass roots development. Where I come from, we started a program about ten years ago, and went out and got equipment. It's $3,000 just to get a basic chair for an athlete to participate in the sport, so the local wheelchair community and associations went out and bought 10, 20 loaner ones, and now we've gone from six to 30-plus recreational athletes and there's an opportunity for those recreationals to go to the next level. So everything starts with awareness and grass roots and then development of these athletes.
There are tons of athletes out there, but, A, they may not know about the sport, or B, they do not have the resources to get into it. But we are making grounds. The Paralympic sports and Paralympic Games are getting much better coverage and with that coverage, there's more respect and there's awareness for athletes that are out there lurking, ready to go. They will see it, be inspired and get involved.
KRIGE SCHABORT: I can say that the only races lately that's been going up in numbers would be the races that went for active recruiting of athletes, and that's the way the BAA can look at it as well.
Q. What's the challenge of racing when you're so far ahead of the field from the start?
ERNST VAN DYK: It's tough because you have no idea where these guys are. There was not a lot of footage or coverage on us today but I was looking around all the time to see where these guys are behind me. It's kind of hard when you are in the front. I think it's much easier when you're chasing because you chase until you see, see somebody in front. But when you're in the front, it's hard and you have to focus on yourself. Even today, for some reason, I didn't feel comfortable. It was cold and I couldn't get a good base going, and for me that's a little bit scary. You don't know what's going on behind you, whether these guys hooked up, made a deal, split the money in half to try and catch me. A lot of things can happen behind you. There's always a bit of uncertainty. (Laughter).
The same question you could ask a good cyclist, time trialist when he has a good time trial, that's what it turns into for me, a time trial and how do you focus on racing against the clock. You just force the pace.
Q. So you now have six in a row; are you going to go for seven?
ERNST VAN DYK: I'd be stupid -- yeah, for sure. I'll probably go for seven and I'll probably go for eight. I'm young compared to these guys. These guys should be racing in the masters. Both of these guys are over 40 and sitting on the podium today. I think if I take care of myself and keep on racing, I at least can do seven more of these races.
Q. What's your agenda? Did you race last week?
ERNST VAN DYK: I did Paris on Sunday. Today, Boston . Sunday I'll do London and next Sunday I'll do a marathon in Seoul , Korea . Last year I did three in three weeks and this year, see how far I can go, so I'm doing four in four weeks.
Q. Did you win all three last year?
ERNST VAN DYK: Yeah, I won all three last year.
Q. How much of an advantage is it knowing this course as well as you do? If you didn't know the course, every nook and cranny and tree and pothole, if you don't know it as well as you do know it, would you be -- how much of a disadvantage would that put you at?
ERNST VAN DYK: Well, I think the first time I came here, you don't get to train on this course because there's so much traffic and stuff. The first year I came back in 1999, everybody says this is an easy race, if you want to have a good time, come to Boston . Then I realized it's a tough course. Today I was thinking to myself as I was climbing the Newton Hills, I said, if these guys are with me, I'm in trouble. That's why I ride to get in front of them because I'm not as good of a climber as they are, so at least I didn't have to deal with that.
Any race, any marathon, it's important to know the course and to know yourself. Every year I would record my data from the race, the speed, the elevation and look at what's going on and I will go back and train for that. As you said, it's very important to know the course and to feel comfortable on it?
Q. How did you do in Paris ?
ERNST VAN DYK: I won in Paris , it was cold like today and a five-man sprint, so I was able to pull that off.
Q. A five-man sprint to the finish?
ERNST VAN DYK: Yeah.
Q. There were a bunch of you together for a while, how many were together and at what point did you break away from that pack for second place in?
KRIGE SCHABORT: At mile 10, I would say, Ken and I was together and then all of a sudden, I didn't really look behind, we were just trying to chase Ernst. All of a sudden I saw three guys, just right there with us. Then I really knew it was going to be not easy to have a good race, if you're that many guys. Two guys together, it's easier, you can work together and you can stay focused. But as soon as you're four or five, there's always one that wants to, you know, mess up the pace. Not that they want to, but it just happens that way.
I just thought I had to get away, and at the bottom of long hill at the fire station, I really thought I had a chance to pull away. That's where I made my move. That was the beginning of the hills.
So I really just went up hard and from there on, I stayed in front of them. It was still tough just to stay ahead of them because they were really coming for me. So it became a race between me and them more than, you know, trying to catch Ernst.
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An Interview with:
First Place: EDITH HUNKELER
Second Place: DIANE ROY
Third Place: SHIRLEY REILLY
Q. Obvious question but how does it feel to be the winner today?
EDITH HUNKELER: Great. I'm absolutely happy. I did a great race, and I never expected to win. I was really scared about both of them, and when you're at the top and you cross the finish line first, you just have one word; you're happy.
Q. What do you think made the difference?
EDITH HUNKELER: From the last week or from the other athletes? I don't know.
Probably that I was faster. I climbed really well today, but on the flat part I was really surprised about Diane. She pushed me well. I pulled away I think at 15k and it was uphill and downhill, I could push really hard and I never looked back. I never knew whether Diane really is. Yeah, I pushed, going for myself, I felt well. I was sometimes like flying. I was surprised about me today and I'm really surprised about the time, too. I never expected to be so fast because it was so cold.
Q. I have two questions about Switzerland . Is Esolzwil a suburb of Zurich ?
EDITH HUNKELER: It's a little, little village. It's not in Zurich ; it's close to Lucerne .
Q. Switzerland is a very well-developed country but it's got quite a small population, and there are five Swiss wheelchair athletes listed on the all-time best performances in Boston . Could you talk about the extent to which the sport is noticed or popular in Switzerland and could it attract a larger population?
EDITH HUNKELER: I don't know. We have a really good organization and we speak with each other and then we take the decision where we want to go. Boston , New York , that's all big marathons, and every junior wants to be there, to take place. They look at you and I'm sure at home now they are watching TV and see what happens and they want to go here, too. We tell about how it feels to be here. People cheering you, that's a special feeling and that makes it special for youngsters to come up here and try it, too. But it is a really hard marathon, it's not easy. I know easier marathons.
Q. Do you see the sport growing in Switzerland , and in this country also, there are a lot of people in wheelchairs relative to the number who actually compete.
EDITH HUNKELER: Yeah, you can't choose your athletes. They have to be in the wheelchair and have to have the pleasure to do the sport. That's not easy. We have youngsters and it takes time but they are coming. You have to do an apprenticeship and it takes a long time to get to the top. I knew a few of them, they know what they want to do to race. That's the important thing, to never forget to have fun. We can't live just professional; we have to work at home, everybody has to work and that doesn't make it easy to be at the top all the time.
Q. What do you do for work?
EDITH HUNKELER: I'm a secretary?
Q. You said you were surprised at the time given how cold it was; were these not good conditions?
EDITH HUNKELER: For me, not, but for some probably it was okay. I know Diane did not like the weather, too. In Switzerland , we actually have snow and the whole spring was snowing and
it was really cold. But I like warm weather, so with short sleeves, sun is shining, then I feel very well. But you can't choose. You have to go through. I was really happy that we have no rain here.
Q. Diane, you don't like the cold either?
DIANE ROY: No, no cold. That was really cold, and we had a head wind, and it's not easy. The timing is good, because with the head wind, the weather, I think the time is really good, and 1:43, and for me, 48, very good.
Q. Shirley, how did it feel for you coming in the Top 3 and what was the toughest part of the race for you?
SHIRLEY REILLY: It was very exciting. The toughest part for me was I think I wasn't climbing as well as these two girls were, so that was a little downfall for me. But very exciting. It's my second time in Boston, so I definitely want to come back next year and see how I do.
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An Interview With:
First Place: SAMMY NYANGINCHA
First Place: MADINA BIKTAGIROVA
THE MODERATOR: Masters Champions for 2006. 2:37, Sammy, you've run here before. How was today compared to, say, your race in '94 when you did very well?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: I think it was very good other than very windy, and I was also not sure myself because I've had ten years without running. But now I need to go and train and then if we wait next year, I can do that, I can do better than today.
THE MODERATOR: Running in the Master's Division gives you some new confidence and maybe keeps you young?
THE MODERATOR: Yeah, I think -- I mean, I think the fastest race in the Master's Division, I'm better to have done today here and really Boston is a great race and definitely Kenyans would like to come. I'm glad to be here again. As I said, I think this is a race that many guys can do, even from Kenya . I would like to come back again.
THE MODERATOR: Madina, you've been up on stage with us many times before. How did you find the race this year?
THE MODERATOR: I hope to run very well this year because I get very good preparation and I was in good shape. But today it happens that I run a lot and nobody pushed me. I ran better than last year for time but not for the open division. But I was really happy about defending my title again today.
THE MODERATOR: You're the returning champion, do you see Boston -- is Boston one of the courses that you look forward to running every year?
THE MODERATOR: Yes, I got very good preparation, and I'm thinking about the Boston Marathon this year and I want to run very well here. I like Boston .
THE MODERATOR: Sammy, you trained with Timothy, and with Benjamin?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: Yes.
THE MODERATOR: Do they train with you or do you train with them?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: We train together, yeah. We train together and we are in the same country. But first when I started training with them, you know, with my age. It's really hard to keep up with them, they are very young and very fast. So I had to stop a bit -- then I started training by myself but we train together.
THE MODERATOR: Did you have an idea that Benjamin would do so well today?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: Yeah, because as he was training, I think he looked to be in very good shape. So we had no doubt that he was going to do very well today.
THE MODERATOR: Was your strategy to run your own race today, because you were up there with the lead pack for most of the race? Was that your strategy to stay with the leaders or see how you would do or do you have a set strategy?
MADINA BIKTAGIROVA: I would like to run this year 2:28 and I had good preparation. But I'm beginning to run with the later runners, 5k and I decided I can run with them the whole marathon and I decide to run a little bit slowly because my legs were hurting. But I think about not only to win the Masters, I'm thinking about the future to run very well.
THE MODERATOR: To run to win, not just the Masters.
Q. Did you know that you had won, when you crossed the line, did you know you were the winner?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: I did not know at first, but when I was close to finishing, that's when I learned that I was the winner.
Q. Did someone come up to you and say that you won the Masters?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: No. They announced that I won.
Q. Just wanted to ask Sammy how long it's been since your run in Boston , what is your most recent before today?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: 1995.
THE MODERATOR: Madina, will you come back next year to defend your title?
MADINA BIKTAGIROVA: Yes.
THE MODERATOR: Boston is in your calendar every year?
MADINA BIKTAGIROVA: It's very hard not to be here.
THE MODERATOR: Sammy, you haven't been here in 11 years. Do we have to wait another 11 for you to come back?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: Sure, I've got a lot of friends here and I also like the people of Boston because they are very great. They cheer us all over. Most of the time I miss them so much, so I would like to come back and see them again.
THE MODERATOR: There's a large group of younger Kenyan runners, obviously. Is there a large number of Master's runners in Kenya that you can train with, or do you train with the young guys?
SAMMY NYANGINCHA: No. I usually train with the young guys. Not many guys who have won like to run in Kenya , they say they are too old to run.
THE MODERATOR: And that's not the case in Russia , is it? There are a lot of Master's runners in Russia , aren't there?
MADINA BIKTAGIROVA: Yes.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you very much, thank you for joining us.
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