2009 Boston Marathon

For the second consecutive year, the Boston Marathon added new events to Marathon Weekend. On Sunday, nearly 4,000 people toed the Boylston Street start line for the inaugural B.A.A. 5K. Registration for the first-time event filled within days. Afterward, some of the fastest mile runners in the country took part in the B.A.A. Invitational Mile. Additionally, the 16 fastest boys and girls from the eight cities and towns through which the Marathon course runs took part in the Scholastic Invitational Mile. Both events served as a thrilling appetizer for Monday’s entrée.

Monday was a day for the B.A.A. record book, as Salina Kosgei of Kenya waited until the last minute to push past defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia and top American Kara Goucher. Kosgei won the women’s race in the closest finish in race history, outpacing Tune by one second in a photo finish. In the men’s race, Deriba Merga of Ethiopia ran confidently and with a strong lead for the last few miles, becoming the first Ethiopian to win the Boston Marathon since 2005. On race day, there were 26,331 official entrants and 22,843 finishers, the second-highest totals in race history—including a record 10,934 female entrants and 9,297 female finishers. The B.A.A. and principal sponsor John Hancock increased the 2009 prize purse to a total of $806,000.