Boston, MA. – It was an electric start to Boston Marathon weekend this morning as the BAA 5K sent a current of excitement through the bright morning sunshine along historic Charles Street. Defending men’s champion and Olympic silver medalist Dejen Gebremeskel of Ethiopia and U.S. record holder Molly Huddle used blistering late race kicks to win the opening race of Boston Marathon weekend in front of a record field of 10,000. The wins earned the champions $7500, while Gebremeskel took home an additional $5000 for the event record.

Gebremeskel barely inched out American star and native New Englander Ben True in a mad dash to the tape to set an event record 13:26.  True, the 2011 & 2012 BAA 5K champ, was clocked in the exact same time, while third-placer Stephen Sambu of Kenya was only one tick back in 13:27. The top five men all went under Gebremeskel’s old event record 13:37 set last year.

In the women’s race U.S. 5000 meter track record holder Molly Huddle, now of Providence, Rhode Island, came screaming from five meters back in the final 200 meters to blow past race leader Mamitu Daska of Ethiopia in 15:12, tying the event record set in 2012 by Ethiopia’s Werknesh Kidane.

A field double the size of last year took part in the opening event of marathon weekend under chilled but calm blue skies. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh sent the runners off for their 3.1 mile tour of the Back Bay, and the atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie was enveloping. Continue reading →