Kenya’s Caroline Chepkoech breezed to her third-straight victory in the New Balance Falmouth Road Race that was held on Sunday (19) in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
The 24-year-old displayed a quiet confidence at the road race’s media event on Friday, August 17, only offering that she “felt good” before letting out a wry smile to the crowd at the Casino Wharf in Falmouth Heights.
After staying in the pack throughout the first three miles—easily the hilliest portion of the course—to cut down on wind resistance, Chepkoech pulled away over the final four miles. A few-foot lead quickly turned into a few hundred yards. Her closest competition, Margaret Wangari also from Kenya, faded in the distance behind every turn.
Chepkoech joined fellow Kenyan Lornah Kiplagat (2000-2002) as the only women to win the road race in three straight years when she cut the tape in 35:48, 46 seconds behind Kiplagat’s course record of 35:02, which was set in 2000, and nearly a minute ahead of Wangari who crossed the line in 36:43.
“I’m very happy for winning this race. I’m so happy,” Chepkoech said following her win. “I want to say thank you to my family, my husband and all my teammates. Thank you so much.”
Another Kenyan Mary Wacera, closed the first podium three finishes in 37:17.
Chepkoech pocketed a cool $10,000 first-place prize and narrowly missed out on the bonus $5,000 from The Countdown, awarded to the top elite runner, male or female.
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