Three past champions will be in contention for the main prize at the 119th Boston Marathon on Monday. The 26.2-mile race is the world’s oldest marathon. 2014 champion Eritrean-born American Meb Keflezighi will be out to defend his title, but is expected to get stiff challenge from the African contingent. 2012 Boston champion Wesley Korir, former world champion Abel Kirui and former marathon record holder Patrick Makau are among the favourites, in Kenyan colours. 2013 winner Lelisa Disesa leads the Ethiopian charge, while April Lusapho is the only South African in the competition. The women’s field will see Ethiopia’s Bizunesh Deba seek to defend the crown she won, after 2014 winner Rita Jeptoo was stripped of her title, following her doping ban. The race is the second in the prestigious world marathon majors series.
Organizers expect about a million spectators will line the route to cheer on the runners. Two years after a terrorist attack killed three people, security remains a high priority at the Boston Marathon. Cameras are trained on practically every street corner, and security officials are doing bag checks.
