Article 

(c) 2025 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. (17-Jul) -- Ruth Chepngetich, the 2019 World Athletics Championships marathon gold medalist who ran a world record 2:09:56 at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon last October, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a doping infraction.  The 30 year-old Kenyan tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic, in a urine sample collected from her on March 14 of this year. Under AIU procedures, the athlete was issued a Notice of Charge after an investigation was launched.  Chepngetich was interviewed by AIU investigators in Nairobi on April 16 and "complied with requests regarding our investigation," according to AIU chief Brett Clothier. "When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code," Clothier explained through a press release.  "Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification.  However, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing."  Clothier continued: "In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension." The AIU said that they would have no further comment on the case until it reached its conclusion. A diuretic does not increase performance per se, but can mask the presence of other drugs.  Hydrochlorothiazide, and other diuretics, are "banned at all times," according to the World Anti-Doping Agency. An HCTZ reading of 20 nanograms per milliliter in urine would be considered a negative result, but Chepngetich tested at a far higher level: 3800 ng/mL. Although Chepngetich's world record in Chicago was ratified by World Athletics, the mark was looked upon with doubt by at least some experts.  She slashed the previous world record by a hefty one minute and 57 seconds, and would have finished 11th in the men's race.  She ran the first half in 1:04:16, and her halfway split was the fastest-ever half-marathon run in the United States by a woman. Former Runners' World editor and 1968 Boston Marathon champion Amby Burfoot was openly skeptical of Chepngetich's performance.  Writing for marathonhandbook.com, Burfoot wrote: "Chepngetich's performance is only about 7.75% slower than Kelvin Kiptum's men's marathon world record.  It should be 10 to 11% slower, like all the other male-female differentials in the running record books. There's a massive amount of data behind these percentages, and historically any small variation amounts to a highly suspect performance." During the post-race press conference in Chicago, Robert Johnson of Letsrun.com asked Chepngetich how her then-pending record should be viewed given the dozens of doping violations recorded by the AIU for Kenyan athletes in recent years.  Johnson said: "What would you say to someone that, when they see 2:09:56, say this is too good to be true?"  Chepngetich hesitated before saying she didn't know.  Johnson was criticized by Kenyan officials, including some in the Kenyan National Assembly, who saw his question as insulting. Seven Kenyan athletes received doping sanctions in June, and there are currently 139 Kenyan athletes serving doping bans, the most of any country. Chepngetich has only competed once since her Chicago run.  She took second at the Lisbon Half-Marathon on March 9.  She was supposed to compete in the TCS London Marathon on April 27, but withdrew prior to the race. "I'm not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best in London and I am therefore withdrawing," Chepngetich said through a statement provided by London Marathon Events.  "I am very sad to miss the race and I hope to be back next year." PHOTO: Ruth Chepngetich after setting her marathon world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024 (photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

(c) 2025 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE (05-Jul) -- The gala 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic lived up to all the hype, punctuated by world record performances by Kenyans Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon.  Chebet, 25, became the first woman in history to break 14 minutes for 5000m, clocking 13:58.06 in a race which also served as the Kenyan Trial for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.  Kipyegon, 31, rebounded strongly from her attempt to break four minutes for the mile in Paris just over a week ago and ran 3:48.68 for 1500m, the first ever sub-3:49 by a woman.  Nearly all of the 12,650 seats at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon were filled for today's meeting, the ninth stop of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League. Chebet got her record first.  In warm, sunny and slightly breezy conditions, the reigning Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion followed pacemakers Klaudia Kazimierska of Poland and Dorcus Ewoi of Kenya through the first kilometer in 2:47.07, then the second in 5:35.37.  After the pacers dropped out, Chebet took the lead and kept up the high tempo.  Only Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay, the previous 5000m world record holder, and Kenya's Agnes Jebet Ngetich could hold such a blistering pace.  Chebet split 3000m in 8:22.96 setting a new stadium record for that distance.   "I can say I pushed a lot after the pacemaker dropped," the tiny Chebet told reporters.  "I pushed for myself and I say, I have to go because I am the one who wants a world record for myself and go for it." Neither Tsegay nor Ngetich wanted to lead, so Chebet had to do all of the work.  For the two laps before the bell (measured from the finish line), she split 66.9 then 68.4.  In the final lap she still had her two rivals very close with just 200 meters to go, but she exploded around the final turn leaving them in her wake.  She ran her final lap in 61.9 seconds. "I'm so happy," Chebet told reporters.  "Today I can say it's a great day for me.  Achieving sub-14:00 in women, being the first woman sub-14:00 is amazing for me." Ngetich passed Tsegay to take second, 14:01.29 to 14:04.41.  Another Kenyan, Margaret Akidor, was a distant fourth in 14:30.34.  Chebet now holds the world records for both 5000m and 10,000m (28:54.14).  She's the first woman to accomplish that feat since Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway in 1986. Kipyegon's record was, perhaps, more expected.  She ran a sub-4:07 mile in the Nike-sponsored Breaking4 exhibition race in Paris, and was clearly fit coming into today.  Meeting organizers moved the women's 1500m to be the final event on the program, bumping the usual curtain-closer, the Bowerman Mile for men, to an earlier time slot.  When Kipyegon was introduced, the crowd gave her a huge cheer. "I almost cried because everybody was waiting for me," Kipyegon said.  "You know, I was the last one on the track, the last event of the day, and it's just so amazing everybody was waiting for you to test the world record, everybody cheering you.  I felt at home." Sage Hurta-Klecker of the On Athletics Club was the designated pacemaker, and after cutting in to the rail first she quickly stretched out the field.  Hurta-Klecker hit the 400m mark in 61.61 seconds with Kipyegon, Australia's Jessica Hull (the 2024 Olympic silver medalist) and Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji close behind.  Hurta-Klecker passed 800m in 2:03.17, then peeled off at the end of the backstretch.  Kipyegon still had Hull with her, but not for long.  After 1200m (3:04.68) the three-time Olympic gold medalist moved up a gear and started to open a significant gap on Hull.  Kipyegon kept pushing and, as the crowd roared, she broke the tape. "First, I want to thank God," Kipyegon said, when asked about how she felt.  "This was really special.  As I said in Paris that I was still capable of running under 3:49, and I surprised myself today doing that."  She continued: "It's something special." With about 100 meters to go, Welteji caught, and passed, Hull to take second in a personal best 3:51.44.  Hull ran a season's best 3:52.67 in third, and Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Hunter Bell finished fourth in 3:54.76. In the men's 10,000m --which served as the official World Athletics Championships Trial for Kenya and an unofficial trial for Ethiopia-- 18 year-old Biniam Mehary got the win in a world-leading 26:43.82, the second-fastest time of his career.  Mehary, along with compatriots Berihu Aregawi and Selemon Barega, broke away from the main pack early in the race behind the pacemaking of Benjamin Balazs and Kasey Knevelbaard, both Americans.  Joining the group was a lone Kenyan, Benson Kiplangat, who saw running with the Ethiopians as his best chance take a top-three finish among the Kenyans "For me I needed to be top three for Kenya qualification, so I was not needing a record," Kiplangat told Race Results Weekly.  "I needed to run with the Ethiopians to survive in the group." Knevelbaard went through 3000m in a fast 7:51.77 before dropping out.  That left the four Africans to manage the pace and keep the rest of the field at bay.  About 15 seconds behind another Kenyan, Edwin Kurgat, kept his cool and his eyes forward.  He was confident that if he stayed with his race plan he could close the gap. "I've been running 10-K for a little bit longer now," he said.  "I know what it takes, and I knew what I had to do today to make that team." With Mehary and Kiplangat trading places at the front, the foursome went through 5000m in 13:14.17, on pace to break 26:30.  Neither Aregawi nor Barega would lead, but that didn't bother the good-natured Mehary. "The plan was go get a pretty fast time," Mehary told reporters through a translator. At 8000m (21:28.71) it looked like only Mehary, Kiplangat, Barega or Aregawi could finish on the podium.  But their pace got just a little slower, and at 9000m (24:13.16) Kurgat had caught up.  That set up a thrilling final sprint from about 150 meters out.  Kiplangat led on the bend, but soon drifted back and would have to settle for sixth place in 26:50.00, a personal best. "For me, I don't have a sprinting, I don't have a kick," Kiplangat lamented. But Mehary did.  He passed Aregawi on the inside with just a few meters left in the race to get the win.  As he was sprinting, he wasn't confident that he had the power to beat his older and more accomplished rival. "I was definitely not sure because I know these guys," Mehary admitted.  "They're very strong athletes, and they have good finishing speed.  I wasn't sure but, obviously, I'm very happy with the results." Aregawi was timed in 26:43.84 and Barega in 26:44.13.  Kurgat took fourth in 26:45.35, and as the top Kenyan in the race he secured his position in the World Athletics Championships. "I just executed my race," Kurgat told Race Results Weekly.  "I had to stay really tactical, and strong and have something left for the finish." American marathoner Conner Mantz fought off a side stitch and finished 12th in 27:35.72. "I just set intermediate goals every lap just to speed up a bit," he told reporters of the second half of his race.  "It's hard to be in a race like this.  I was expecting to run 64's, but they went out way faster than that." In the other distance events there were quick times and exciting finishes, especially in the Bowerman Mile where Dutchman Niels Laros executed a spectacular come-from-behind race, just pipping USA mile record holder Yared Nuguse at the line by 1/100th of second.  Laros's time of 3:45.94 was a Dutch record and made him the third-fastest European of all-time. "The legs felt good, and I could just kick," Laros told reporters.  "It was amazing." For 95% of the race Laros wasn't a factor.  He ran with the main pack while Nuguse and Frenchman Azeddine Habz followed the pacemaker Abe Alvarado at the front.  By the halfway point, Nuguse had a small gap on Habz and was trying to run away with the race. "I really wanted to go out there and give it everything I had, straight up, to the line," Nuguse said.  "I definitely died a bit." Nuguse came into the homestretch with a lead of several meters on Habz, and Laros was back with the pack.  But in the final 50 meters, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist started to tie up.  Habz was also tiring and couldn't catch the American, but Laros sliced down lane one past Habz and towards Nuguse.  He caught Nuguse right at the line, shooting a look to his right just as he caught him. "I was just in the pack and I couldn't really do anything about them running away," said Laros.  "But once I came to the front I didn't immediately think about closing that gap.  I just wanted to go fight for the podium.  I was feeling better than expected and I came closer and closer." Cole Hocker, the former Oregon Duck who won the Olympic 1500m title last August, took fourth in a personal best 3:47.43.  Back in ninth place, double Olympic bronze medalist in the 5000m and 10,000m Grant Fisher finally toppled his ten-year old mile personal best of 3:59.38 set in high school, clocking a very grown-up 3:48.28. "It feels good to have a new mark," said Fisher with a laugh. The International Mile --easily the word's best "B" section for a one-mile race-- was won by Ethan Strand who just wrapped up his NCAA career at the University of North Carolina.  Wearing his new Nike pro kit for the first time, Strand dominated his race to win in 3:48.86. "That feels good," Strand told reporters.  He continued: "That's the beauty of the International Mile to go compete for the win today.  That always builds confidence.  If I had been in the Bowerman Mile it would have been more like, see how long you can hang on and see how fast you can run." In the two other distance races on the program, the women's 800m and 3000m steeplechase, the winners were Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia in 1:57.10 and Winfred Yavi of Bahrain in a meeting record and world-leading 8:45.25.  The 800m race marked the return of 2021 Olympic 800m gold medalist Athing Mu-Nikolayev who had not run her two-lap specialty in competition in nearly a year.  She had a tough day, finishing tenth and last in 2:03.44. "It definitely sucks not being able to have run a couple of 800's before this," Mu-Nikolayev told the assembled media.  "You know, working out at practice is really great, but when it comes to competition it takes a little bit more.  We knew that coming in." PHOTO: Beatrice Chebet of Kenya setting a new world record in the 1500m at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly  

(c) 2025 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. EUGENE (04-Jul) -- When she takes to the track to run the Mutola 800m at the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field here on Saturday, it will have been 351 days since Athing Mu-Nikolayev will have competed at the distance where she won the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021 and set the American record of 1:54.97 in 2023.  Under coach Bobby Kersee the 23 year-old athlete has been returning to competition slowly, focusing on over-distance races including a 5000m (where she dropped out as planned at 3000m), and two 1500's where she ran modest times of 4:21.18 and 4:10.70, respectively.  It's all part of Coach Kersee's plan to have the former high school star from Trenton, N.J., healthy and in peak shape for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. "On the track side of things I think people have learned to understand that he knows what he's doing," Mu-Nikolayev said of Kersee at a press conference here yesterday.  "And though he may take different approaches that other coaches may not take, whether it's more risky and not of the norm, in the end his plan works out the best for his athletes, and he does not steer us the wrong way.  Just growing in trust together has been a big thing over the past couple of years." Mu-Nikolayev, who trains with four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, is trying to bounce back from a disappointing year.  At last summer's USA Olympic Team Trials, also held here in Eugene, Mu-Nikolayev tripped and fell in the 800m final just 200 meters into the race.  She regained her feet, finished in last place, and did not qualify for the Paris Olympics.  She ran only one other race before shutting down her season, and she did not return to competition until April 18, 2025, where she ran the first 3000 meters of the 5000m at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California. "It's more fun to do it out here than in practice, just in terms of getting some longer runs in," Mu-Nikolayev said in her post-race interview when asked why she had competed at Mt. SAC.  "It was definitely long, longer than 800m, longer than 1500m." While the two 1500's reacquainted her with faster running, those races were nothing like what she will face on Saturday when she will square-off against 2023 world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya, 2024 world indoor champion Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia, 2021 Olympic bronze medalist Raevyn Rogers of the United States, and 2025 world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso of South Africa, among others.  The world-leading time of 1:56.64, set by Duguma in China in May, is likely to come under threat. "I think this is falling at the perfect time for preparation for the USA's and, obviously, world championships in September," Mu-Nikolayev said of Saturday's race.  She continued: "It's really great to be able to run a fast, competitive 800 around this time of the year." All of Mu-Nikolayev's competitors have already been racing hard this season, which would seem to leave her at a disadvantage.  That's not how Mu-Nikolayev sees it. "You have to trust your coach if you want to improve and get better with them," Mu-Nikolayev explained.  "So, that's just a super-important thing that I hold with Bobby and Bobby holds with me.  So, I trust that year to year, if we have to adjust things, do things different, that in the end he'll have me ready for what's most important, championships, whether the Olympics or worlds." Saturday's race is named after Maria Mutola, the legendary runner from Mozambique who won the Olympic 800m title in 2000 and was the world 800m champion in 1993, 2001 and 2003.  Mutola, now 52, won the 800m at the Prefontaine Classic a dozen times from 1992 to 2008.  Mu-Nikolayev has won it twice, in 2021 and 2023, setting meet records both times.  She definitely enjoys running at Hayward Field, although she appeared to be slightly nervous about doing a "rust-buster" in such hyper-competitive circumstances. "I'm super-excited, actually, to be back here at the Pre Classic," Mu-Nicolayev told reporters.  She continued: "I'm just excited to go out and just see where my body is at this point of the year in the 800.  I'm excited to run fast; I know it's not going to be a slow race." When asked whether she had a time goal, Mu-Nicolayev said she wanted to break two minutes.  She added: "I think just going out there and feeling good, both mentally and physically, is the most important thing for me.  And seeing the results, obviously, no matter what the time may be, is always a plus.  But, I think just completing that race, doing two full laps, would be a really great thing." PHOTO: Athing Mu-Nikolayev speaking with reporters at the 50th Prefontaine Classic press conference in Eugene, Oregon (By Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)

Planning a road race takes more than a great course and energetic participants—it requires a clear, thorough approach to permitting and insurance. Whether you're hosting a neighborhood 5K or a major half marathon, ensuring your event is permitted and insured protects your participants, your team, and your community. Here’s what you need to know. What Kind of Permits Do You Need? Permits vary by city and the specifics of your event. The names and requirements differ, but these are the most common types of permits for road races: Special Event Permit Street or Road Closure Permit Park or Trail Use Permit State Road Usage Permit (for events on designated state roads) Noise Permit (for amplified music or announcements) Temporary Food Vendor Permit (if food is provided or sold) Tent or Structure Permits (required for large tents or staging) Alcohol Permit (if alcohol is served) Permitting complexity increases with elements like road closures, live music, or alcohol service. Always check with your local permitting authority in the early stages of your event planning process, based on the recommendations below: When Should You Apply for Permits? Timing is critical. Each city or county authority has different lead times: Small races (<500 participants): Apply 3–4 months ahead Medium to large races (500–5,000+): Apply 6–12 months ahead Large events with major road closures: Some cities require a full year’s notice Secure future dates with the city early to avoid conflicts and ensure consistency year after year. Permit Costs: What to Expect Yes, permits typically come with fees, which vary based on: Location (city/state) Services needed (e.g., barricades, police staffing, sanitation) Event size and duration Expect to pay $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on scale. Nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced rates, depending on local codes and policies. Community Notification Requirements Most municipalities require some form of public notification, such as: Flyers or mailers to homes and businesses near the route Yard signs or traffic boards along affected roads Public hearings or neighborhood meetings for major events Proof of community notification is often part of the final permit approval. Proactive communication within the city and communities where your event will be held fosters goodwill and helps with long-term community support. Consider hosting a friendly reception or mixer to help the affected community learn more and perhaps get involved with your event, either as a participant, volunteer, or community liaison (helps spread the message about the event). Donations to local high school track or cross country teams and run clubs can be a valuable way to improve community relationships. Public Safety: Police and Medical Requirements Depending on your location and race size, you may need: Police officers or traffic control staff: For road closures, crowd management, and emergency response Private security: In some areas, cities require or allow certified private personnel EMS or medical services: Often mandatory for mid-size and large races Cities may also request: A security plan A medical services plan A traffic management plan Even if not required, these plans are best practices for protecting your event. We will cover best practices for creating such plans in a future article. Insurance: What Coverage Do You Need? At a minimum, General Liability Insurance is required by most cities: $1 million per occurrence $2 million aggregate Be sure to list all relevant stakeholders (e.g., city departments, sponsors) as Additional Insureds and use the exact language they require on your Certificate of Insurance (COI). When to purchase: Ideally 3–6 months prior. Some policies can be secured closer to race day, but permits typically require proof of coverage early. Tip: If you organize multiple races, consider a multi-event or annual policy for better rates. Other Insurance Coverage to Consider Such coverage types include, but are not limited to: Participant Accident Insurance – Covers runner injuries Liquor Liability – Required if serving alcohol Cancellation Insurance – Covers loss due to weather or force majeure Property/Equipment Insurance – Covers timing mats, signage, tents, etc. Volunteer Accident Insurance – Helpful for larger volunteer teams Running USA members have access to comprehensive policies through the Nicholas Hill Group. You can learn more here. What About Music Licensing? Playing music publicly at an event—whether by a live band, DJ, or on a stereo in the background—requires a license from one or more Performing Rights Organizations (PROs). These include: American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): A U.S.-based nonprofit organization that protects the rights of music creators by licensing their work, collecting royalties when their music is played publicly (e.g., on radio, TV, streaming, live venues), and distributing those royalties to the composers, songwriters, and publishers. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI): A U.S. performing rights organization that represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It licenses the public performance of their music, collects royalties from businesses that use it (like radio stations, TV networks, and venues), and distributes payments to the rights holders. Global Music Rights (GMR): A U.S. performing rights organization that represents a select group of high-profile songwriters and composers. Like ASCAP and BMI, GMR licenses the public performance of music, collects royalties from users (such as radio, TV, streaming services, and venues), and distributes payments to its members. Most DJs and audio vendors do not cover licensing, so it's your responsibility. Licenses typically cost $250–$700+, depending on event size and music usage. PROs are vigilant about taking action against events that play music without a license. So, this is a crucial step to avoid any unforeseen costs or time-consuming procedures. Running USA offers bundled licensing options for members that cover all major PROs. Get more information here. Annual Events: Do I Repeat This Every Year? Yes. Each year, you must: Reapply for permits Renew insurance Reassess routes for construction or conflicts Update safety and operations plans However, creating a thorough, professional application your first year will streamline future renewals. Strong relationships with local officials also make annual permitting smoother and more efficient. Successful event permitting and insurance begins with early planning, strong community engagement, and comprehensive coverage. Whether it’s your first event or your fiftieth, staying proactive and informed helps ensure a safe and seamless experience for all involved.

(c) 2025 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Published with permission. BOSTON (22-Jun) -- Two athletes already familiar with winning in Boston, Gabriel Geay of Tanzania and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya, triumphed here again this morning, winning the 13th annual Boston 10K in muggy conditions.  Geay, 28, who had won this race twice before in 2018 and 2023, made a powerful surge just past halfway and ran away to victory in 28:14.  Lokedi, 31, the reigning Boston Marathon champion, got her first win at this event, holding a gap in the final kilometers and crossing the finish line adjacent to the Public Garden in 31:39.  Lokedi joined two other Kenyan women, Hellen Obiri and Caroline Kilel, in having won the Boston Marathon and the Boston 10K in the same year. "I like this race because mostly when I race in Boston I get good results," said Geay, who was also the runner-up at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Geay, who represents adidas, was confident from the start of the race.  Just two minutes in on the ascent of the Longfellow Bridge, Geay pushed to the front.  He was joined by Zouair Talbi, a Moroccan-born athlete who recently got USA citizenship, and they were followed closely by Wesley Kiptoo of Kenya, Paddy Dever of Great Britain, and Andrew Alexander of Canada. But as the race leveled out on the Cambridge side of the Charles River, everyone caught up with Geay and Talbi.  About 14 men hit the first mile mark in 4:27, then two miles in 9:10 (4:43).  The dark skies turned a little brighter as light rain fell. Approaching a water station just past the three mile mark, the athletes angled to their right to collect their drinks.  Suddenly, without warning, Dennis Kitiyo of Kenya tumbled to the pavement, landing on his back.  According to another competitor, Alex Masai of Kenya, Kitiyo stepped on a bottle.  Kitiyo regained his feet quickly and was only four seconds behind at Geay 5K, 14:23 to 14:27. Moments later, Geay made his big move.  As he turned right onto the Harvard Bridge to return to the Boston side of the Charles, the two-time Olympic marathoner surged.  He built-up a four-second lead at 4 miles (18:19), and a four-man chase pack --Talbi, Dever, Kitiyo, and Kiptoo-- gave chase. "I was thinking to move after, maybe, seven kilometers, but let me try and see how the crowd is moving with me," Geay recalled thinking. The move would stick.  By the 8K mark Geay's lead had inched up to six seconds and, just for good measure, he ran the fifth mile in 4:30.  Despite dodging a few pedestrians in a crosswalk on Boylston Street, Geay held his lead all the way to the finish.  His familiarity with the city gave him confidence. "This is Boston," said Geay, who earned $12,000 in prize money.  "I have title(s) here and I know this race.  I will try to do my best." Behind him Talbi won the battle for second over Dever, 28:18 to 28:21.  Kitiyo --despite his fall-- finished fourth in 28:25, and Kiptoo took fifth in 28:32.  Joe Klecker, an American who shifted his focus to road racing this year after a distinguished career on the track, finished sixth in 28:35. "Geay made a huge move across the bridge and it kind of caught me by surprise," Klecker told Race Results Weekly.  "Kind of across the bridge there, I kind of had a bad minute and the pack kind of got away." Lokedi, who represents Under Armour, made her move later in the race than Geay.  She was one of seven athletes in the lead group at halfway (16:02), but by the 8-kilometer point (25:33) she only had Gladys Kwamboka of Kenya to contend with.  Still full of confidence from her Boston Marathon win, Lokedi was confident she could grind down her rival in the final two kilometers.  She gradually pulled away, and even though Kwamboka showed a strong sprint in the final meters --getting right up to Lokedi's heels-- Lokedi's lead held up at the tape.  Both women were clocked in 31:39. "All I could think about was, stay with this pace," said Lokedi who, like Geay, earned $12,000 in prize money.  "It was a good rhythm and then think about getting faster every kilometer we go."  She added: "I was like, don't look back, don't look.  Then towards this straightaway I looked back and I was like, oh, it's getting close.  I was like, oh my God!  Let's go!" Third place went to USA marathon record holder Emily Sisson.  She was only three seconds back in 31:42. "I'm a little disappointed with it," said Sisson, who had to scratch from last year's race with a mild illness.  "I'm happy to be back being disappointed with a third place finish versus where I was a year ago." Jesca Chelangat of Kenya (32:00) and Maggie Montoya of the USA (32:04) rounded out the top-5. Boston Athletic Association officials were relieved to be able to hold the race after the thunderstorms forecasters warned of skirted the city.  About 7600 runners finished today's race. PHOTO: 2025 Boston 10K champions Gabriel Geay of Tanzania and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya (Photo by Jane Monti for Race Results Weekly)