Leonard Korir became the first American man to win the Falmouth Road Race since Mark Curp in 1988, edging four-time winner Stephen Sambu to claim the 47th annual in 32 minutes, 11 seconds. Sambu crossed the line in 32:29.
“It’s so motivating. Like, that’s history,” Korir told reporters shortly after he crossed the finish line.
“I was feeling relaxed; I was feeling strong,” he added. “I think today was my day.”
Kenyan Sharon Lokedi won the women’s race in 36:29, followed by American Sara Hall in 36:34. The women went out fast, said Hall, who was running Falmouth for the fourth time.
“We went out way harder than we’ve ever gone out on this course before,” Hall told reporters. “Usually we’re all at 5:20 or something on this course, so I couldn’t hang with them. Sharon and I had a little better race plan, I think.”
The 32-year-old Korir, who became an American citizen in 2015, earned $10,000 for the victory, and $3,000 as the top American.
Daniel Romanchuk and Tatyana McFadden repeated as champions in their wheelchair division, each breaking their own course records.
The race drew plenty of star power. Running legends Joan Benoit Samuelson and Frank Shorter, Tedy Bruschi, and NASA astronaut Suni Williams were all among the finishers.