Yearly Synopsis (1975 – 2011)
79th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 1975
The Wheelchair Division of the Boston Marathon was inspired by the 1975 race, when Bob Hall became the first officially recognized athlete to race the entire course in a wheelchair. Hall was promised an official finishers’ certificate by race director Will Cloney if he completed the distance in less than three hours. Showing a flair for the dramatic, which in later years would become a hallmark of the division, Hall crossed the finish line with exactly two minutes to spare for a time of 2:58:00. Hall, in a virtual "time trial," inspired a generation of wheelchair athletes and set the stage for the increasingly competitive wheelchair division at the Boston Marathon.
Men
| 1. Bob Hall (23, MA) | 2:58:00 |
80th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 1976
No competitors.
81st Boston Marathon – Monday, April 18, 1977
Thanks to the assistance provided by the New England chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Foundation, Boston was designated as the site for the National Wheelchair Championship. The added incentive resulted in a seven-member field and a thrilling duel between defending national champion Bob Hall and challenger Curt Brinkman of Utah. While Hall managed to hold off his rival, the fierce competition enabled him to improve his own record by nearly 18 minutes when he crossed the line in 2:40:18. Just over an hour later, the finish line crowd would welcome the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon in a wheelchair when Sharon Rahn finished in 3:48:51. Equally significant was an exchange uniting the wheelchair racers and runners. Cresting Heartbreak Hill, eventual champion Bill Rodgers and fifth-place finisher Tom Fleming slowed to tap Hall on the shoulder and offer words of encouragement. "The interaction was a sign that we were fully accepted as athletes," said David Williamson, who finished third.
| 1. Bob Hall (25, MA) | 2:40:18# | 1. Sharon Rahn (21, IL) | 3:48:51 | |
| 2. Curt Brinkman (23, UT) | 2:43:00 | All Female Finishers Listed | ||
| 3. David Williamson (MD) | 3:20:25 |
82nd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 17, 1978
The wheelchair race expanded to 20 competitors, including two women, as the National Spinal Cord Injury Foundation continued to provide assistance for the participants traveling to Boston. Among those benefiting from this program was George Murray of Florida, who registered the first of his two record performances at Boston. He finished in 2:26:57, improving the former mark by nearly 14 minutes. Curt Brinkman (2:34:38) was again second, while Hall (2:35:22) was third despite a personal-best time. California’s Susan Shapiro won the women’s title in 3:52:35.
| 1. George Murray (30, FL) | 2:26:57# | 1. Susan Shapiro (CA) | 3:52:35 | |
| 2. Curt Brinkman (24, UT) | 2:34:38 | 2. Cindy Patton (MA) | 4:20:12 | |
| 3. Bob Hall (26, MA) | 2:35:22 | All Female Finishers Listed |
83rd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 16, 1979
Maryland’s Kenneth Archer and defending champion George Murray engaged in a two-man race nearly
the entire length of the course before Archer (2:38:59) pulled out the victory by a narrow margin of one
minute, 14 seconds. Sheryl Bair of Sacramento, California, won the women’s race in a world-best time of
3:27:56.
| 1. Kenneth Archer (30, MD) | 2:38:59 | 1. Sheryl Bair (CA) | 3:27:56# | |
| 2. George Murray (31, FL) | 2:40:13 | 2. Sharon Limpert (31, MN) | 3:57:23 | |
| 3. James Thomann (FL) | 2:58:07 | 3. Karen Jacobs (33, FL) | 4:02:24 |
84th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 1980
Benefiting from an improved racing wheelchair design, Curt Brinkman posted a winning time of 1:55:00 to become the first person to eclipse the two-hour barrier in a wheelchair. Despite the time, Brinkman’s triumph was the result of an unfortunate mishap to rival George Murray. Cresting Heartbreak Hill, Brinkman trailed race leader Murray by a full mile. However, entering Cleveland Circle, one of Murray’s wheels became caught in the MBTA streetcar tracks, damaging his chair. Although a "quick fix" enabled him to continue, he slowed considerably, and finished eighth. A similar benchmark was eclipsed in the women’s race when Sharon Limpert of Minnesota finished first, in 2:49:04, becoming the first woman to break three hours in the history of the sport and establishing a world record in the process.
| 1. Curt Brinkman (26, UT) | 1:55:00# | 1. Sharon Limpert (32, MN) | 2:49:04# | |
| 2. James Martinson (33, WA) | 1:57:59 | 2. Karen Jacobs (34, FL) | 2:49:17 | |
| 3. Bob Hall (28, MA) | 2:02:21 | 3. Marcia Bevard (26, MN) | 2:50:03 |
85th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 20, 1981
In a reversal of the previous year’s top two finishes, 1980 runner-up Jim Martinson posted a winning time of 2:00:41 to defeat defending champion Curt Brinkman by more than six minutes. Rounding out the top four was 1977 champion Bob Hall in third, and 1978 winner George Murray in fourth. Candace Cable established an American and course record of 2:38:41, en route to winning her first of six Boston Marathon titles.
| 1. James Martinson (34, WA) | 2:00:41 | 1. Candace Cable (26, NV) | 2:38:41†* | |
| 2. Curt Brinkman (27, UT) | 2:07:05 | 2. Kathy Stotts (29, WA) | 2:45:03 | |
| 3. Bob Hall (29, MA) | 2:07:12 | 3. Jayne Schiff (25, IL) | 3:07:07 |
86th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 1982
Jim Knaub, a former nationally ranked pole vault competitor from Long Beach, California, held off George Murray to establish a world record and register the closest margin of victory in Boston Marathon history to date. His time of 1:51:31 was just two seconds ahead of Murray. Candace Cable-Brookes, who finished 12th overall, lowered her world record to 2:12:43 to capture her second straight Boston title.
| 1. Jim Knaub (26, CA) | 1:51:31# | 1. Candace Cable-Brookes (27, NV) | 2:12:43# | |
| 2. George Murray (34, FL) | 1:51:33 | 2. Sherry Ramsey (23, CO) | 2:20:42 | |
| 3. Dean Barrett (27, CA) | 1:57:34 | 3. Constance Head (29, NV) | 2:23:10 |
87th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 18, 1983
In an encore performance, Jim Knaub posted his second consecutive title, established a world record (1:47:10), and became the first person to break one hour, 50 minutes. Sherry Ramsey of Colorado captured the women’s title in 2:27:07. Following this year’s event, the Boston Athletic Association officially sanctioned the wheelchair race and began to present awards to all division winners. As a result of this policy, the Boston Marathon began to attract a large number of international competitors, especially among men.
| 1. Jim Knaub (27, CA) | 1:47:10# | 1. Sherry Ramsey (24, CO) | 2:27:07 | |
| 2. Rick Hansen (CAN) | 1:49:03 | 2. Jennifer Smith (CA). | 2:46:08 | |
| 3. Gregor Golombek (GER) | 1:55:24 | All Female Finishers Listed |
88th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 16, 1984
The Boston Marathon crowned its first foreign champion when Andre Viger of Sherbrooke, Quebec, overcame strong headwinds and a cold drizzle to win in 2:05:20. Viger credited his win to a custom-designed, $1,400 racing chair, which he referred to as “chromemoly” due to its high metal content. Candace Cable- Brookes, seeking a third title, encountered mechanical difficulty, and Sherry Ramsey registered her second title in 2:56:51.
| 1. Andre Viger (31, CAN) | 2:05:20 | 1. Sherry Ramsey (25, CO) | 2:56:51 | |
| 2. James Martinson (37, WA) | 2:14:58 | 2. Jan Burkhart (22, CA) | 3:13:18 | |
| 3. Thomas Foran (25, CT) | 2:19:31 | 3. Natalie Bacon (37, NY) | 3:50:47 |
89th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 15, 1985
A pair of world-best performances was turned in by two former champions. Candace Cable-Brookes became Boston’s first three-time wheelchair champion with a time of 2:05:26. George Murray, the 1978 winner, outpaced Boston’s fastest-finishing field to date to finish in 1:45:34. Following him across the line was defending champion Andre Viger (1:47:23) and two-time champion Jim Knaub (1:48:44) as the trio registered the first-, third-, and fourth-fastest times at Boston.
| 1. George Murray (37, FL) | 1:45:34# | 1. Candace Cable-Brookes (30, CA) | 2:05:26# | |
| 2. Andre Viger (32, CAN) | 1:47:23 | 2. Angela Ieriti (21, CAN) | 2:21:11 | |
| 3. Jim Knaub (29, CA) | 1:48:44 | 3. Amy Doofenbaker (24, CAN) | 2:34:42 |
90th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 1986
Taking advantage of ideal race conditions, Andre Viger broke away from the pack early and was never challenged. His winning time of 1:43:25 established a world record, and he was more than five minutes quicker than runner-up George Murray. Candace Cable-Brookes, who withstood a strong challenge from upstart Angela Ieriti of Canada, captured her second consecutive title and fourth overall in 2:09:28. With the support of principal sponsor John Hancock, the B.A.A. presented prize money for the first time in race history. The winners of the men’s and women’s wheelchair race received $2,500 each. Viger earned an additional $7,500 for establishing a world record.
| 1. Andre Viger (33, CAN) | 1:43:25# | 1. Candace Cable-Brookes (31, CA) | 2:09:28 | |
| 2. George Murray (38, FL) | 1:48:59 | 2. Angela Ieriti (22, CAN) | 2:15:02 | |
| 3. Laverne Achenback (44, TX) | 1:51:25 | 3. Ann Cody-Morris (22, IL) | 2:29:15 |
91st Boston Marathon – Monday, April 20, 1987
Despite a chaotic start, which saw several competitors involved in a chain-reaction crash, defending champions Andre Viger and Candace Cable-Brookes overcame the difficulty to successfully defend their titles. Viger, whose chair was knocked over at the start, took the lead just beyond the halfway point and went on to record his third overall title in 1:55:42. Cable-Brookes, who had to hastily repair a flat tire, overcame twotime champion Sherry Ramsey to win her third straight title and fifth in the past seven years, in 2:19:55.
| 1. Andre Viger (34, CAN) | 1:55:42 | 1. Candace Cable-Brookes (32, CA) | 2:19:55 | |
| 2. James Martinson (40, WA) | 2:02:36 | 2. Sherry Ramsey (28, CO) | 2:27:54 | |
| 3. Thomas Foran (28, CT) | 2:03:10 | 3. Brenda Zajac (26, FL) | 2:53:34 |
92nd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 18, 1988
In an attempt to eliminate the problems encountered during the previous year, the B.A.A. employed a controlled start in which the competitors were paced down the steep hill after the start. After a half-mile, where the course levels off, the competitors were free to race at their own pace. The strategy worked to perfection and remains in effect. However, not even the controlled start could slow the progress of 22-year-old Frenchman Mustapha Badid, who posted a world record in 1:43:19. Badid could have received a strong challenge from Andre Viger, but the defending champion suffered a flat tire while crossing the railroad tracks in Ashland. For the first time, foreign athletes placed first, second, and third. The women’s race proceeded as in prior years with Candace Cable-Brookes winning her fourth consecutive title and sixth overall in 2:10:44. The race attracted 56 competitors, representing its largest starting field to date.
| 1. Mustapha Badid (22, FRA) | 1:43:19# | 1. Candace Cable-Brookes (33, CA) | 2:10:44 | |
| 2. Philippe Couprie (25, FRA) | 1:54:58 | 2. Sharon Frenette (26, UT) | 2:30:17 | |
| 3. Bosse Lindkvist (29, SWE) | 1:56:58 | 3. Mary Thompson (27, CA) | 2:59:57 |
93rd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 17, 1989
For the first time in the history of the sport, eight competitors crossed the line in under 1:40:00. Leading the charge was Philippe Couprie of Pontoise, France, whose world-record time of 1:36:04 was just 41 seconds ahead of three-time champion Andre Viger. Defending champion Mustapha Badid, Couprie’s training partner, finished eighth. Although Candace Cable-Brookes established an American record of 1:52:34, she trailed Denmark’s Connie Hansen, who bested the former world record by more than eight minutes and the course mark by 15 minutes with a stunning 1:50:06.
| 1. Philippe Couprie (26, FRA) | 1:36:04# | 1. Connie Hansen (24, DEN) | 1:50:06# | |
| 2. Andre Viger (36, CAN) | 1:36:45 | 2. Candace Cable-Brookes (34, CA) | 1:52:34* | |
| 3. Jim Knaub (33, CA) | 1:38:25 | 3. Chantal Petitclerc (19, CAN) | 2:09:13 |
94th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 16, 1990
For the second consecutive year, world records were established in the men’s and women’s races as Mustapha Badid recaptured his title and Jean Driscoll of Champaign, Illinois, enjoyed a record-setting debut. The first racer to break the one hour, 30 minute barrier, Badid’s time of 1:29:53 improved the former record by more than six minutes. Franz Nietlispach of Switzerland, who shared the lead with Badid through 18 miles, finished second in 1:31:31. Driscoll (1:43:17), who became the first woman to finish the marathon in under one hour, 50 minutes, was joined by Ann Cody-Morris (1:44:09) and defending champion Connie Hansen (1:44:32), as all three broke the former world record.
| 1. Mustapha Badid (24, FRA) | 1:29:53# | 1. Jean Driscoll (23, IL) | 1:43:17# | |
| 2. Franz Nietlispach (32, SUI) | 1:31:31 | 2. Ann Cody-Morris (26, IL) | 1:44:09 | |
| 3. Philippe Couprie (27, FRA) | 1:32:15 | 3. Connie Hansen (25, DEN) | 1:44:32 |
95th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 15, 1991
Jim Knaub emerged from a record field of 81 wheelchair racers, including 71 in the men’s division, to capture his third overall title and establish an American record of 1:30:44. Knaub, who was just 51 seconds shy of the world record, became the first American to win the race in six years. For the second year in a row, Jean Driscoll captured the women’s title in a world-record performance, lowering the mark to 1:42:42.
| 1. Jim Knaub (35, CA) | 1:30:44* | 1. Jean Driscoll (24, IL) | 1:42:42# | |
| 2. Craig Blanchette (22, OR) | 1:34:32 | 2. Ann Cody-Morris (27, IL) | 1:46:25 | |
| 3. Franz Nietlispach (33, SUI) | 1:35:12 | 3. Connie Hansen (26, DEN) | 1:51:16 |
96th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 20, 1992
Jean Driscoll again broke her own world record en route to her third consecutive Boston title, while Jim Knaub notched his second straight title, his fourth overall, and his second world record on the Boston course. Following several lead changes, Driscoll took control of the race on the downhill past Boston College and went unchallenged to the finish. Her time of 1:36:52 marked an improvement of nearly six minutes over her former record. Knaub eliminated all sense of drama in the men’s race when he assumed the early lead and never relinquished it. He finished in 1:26:28 — three minutes and 25 seconds ahead of the former record.
| 1. Jim Knaub (36, CA) | 1:26:28# | 1. Jean Driscoll (25, IL) | 1:36:52# | |
| 2. Philippe Couprie (29, FRA) | 1:32:30 | 2. Connie Hansen (27, DEN) | 1:40:16 | |
| 3. Jan Mattern (26, TX) | 1:34:31 | 3. Ann Cody-Morris (28, NM) | 1:42:08 |
97th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 1993
In a replay of the previous year's race, Jean Driscoll and Jim Knaub successfully defended their titles with world records as each race unfolded in similar fashion. Knaub took off from the start, daring anyone to keep pace. His winning time of 1:22:17 was more than four minutes better than his previous mark. Mustapha Badid was second in 1:23:33, Andre Viger was third in 1:23:56, and Craig Blanchette (fourth), Jim Mattern (fifth), and James Briggs (sixth) all broke the former record. On the women's side, Driscoll was challenged by Connie Hansen and Louise Sauvage of Australia through 11 miles before she broke away for good. She finished in 1:34:50 — two minutes and two seconds better than her previous record. Hansen, who was runner- up, also broke the former record, while Sauvage demonstrated a bright future by finishing third in her Boston debut.
| 1. Jim Knaub (37, CA) | 1:22:17# | 1. Jean Driscoll (26, IL) | 1:34:50# | |
| 2. Mustapha Badid (27, FRA) | 1:23:33 | 2. Connie Hansen (28, DEN) | 1:35:42 | |
| 3. Andre Viger (40, CAN) | 1:23:56 | 3. Louise Sauvage (19, AUS) | 1:39:31 |
98th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 18, 1994
Jean Driscoll’s string of four consecutive Boston titles in world-record time appeared to be in jeopardy when she contracted a case of food poisoning during race weekend. Compounding her predicament was a fast start by Louise Sauvage. However, similar to the race two years before, Driscoll took control on the downslope of Heartbreak Hill and crossed the line in 1:34:22 — a record by 28 seconds. The men’s race also resulted in a world record, but this time it was Heinz Frei of Switzerland, a six-time winner of the Berlin Marathon, who set the new standard in 1:21:23. Frei’s world record would stand for more than five years (he established a new record at Oita, Japan, in 1999), and Driscoll’s mark from this year has yet to be lowered.
| 1. Heinz Frei (36, SUI) | 1:21:23# | 1. Jean Driscoll (27, IL) | 1:34:22# | |
| 2. Thomas Sellers (28, FL) | 1:22:52 | 2. Louise Sauvage (20, AUS) | 1:34:45 | |
| 3. Mustapha Badid (28, TX) | 1:25:18 | 3. Deanna Sodoma (26, CA) | 1:42:59 |
99th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 17, 1995
For the first time since 1987, neither the men’s nor women’s race produced a world-record performance. Although strong headwinds were responsible for the slower times, they could not prevent Jean Driscoll from capturing her sixth straight title. Her time of 1:40:42 was more than six minutes slower than the prior year but still seven minutes ahead of runner-up Deanna Sodoma. Franz Nietlispach of Switzerland upset defending champion and compatriot Heinz Frei to capture his first Boston title in a personal-best time of 1:25:59. Also included in the field was Bob Hall, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of his 1975 performance by placing 23rd in 1:47:41—a performance one hour, 10 minutes, and 19 seconds faster than his pioneering race.
| 1. Franz Nietlispach (37, SUI) | 1:25:59 | 1. Jean Driscoll (28, IL) | 1:40:42 | |
| 2. Heinz Frei (37, SUI) | 1:27:49 | 2. Deanna Sodoma (27, CA) | 1:47:43 | |
| 3. Philippe Couprie (32, FRA) | 1:27:56 | 3. Rose Winand (35, MA) | 1:48:35 |
100th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 15, 1996
The 100th edition of the Boston Marathon drew a record 101 entrants for the wheelchair division race. The men’s race pitted 1994 champion Heinz Frei against 1995 winner Franz Nietlispach, who took the early lead. Frei, who trailed by as much as 100 meters early, caught Nietlispach at the eight-mile mark and slowly pulled away. His winning time of 1:30:14 was easily ahead of runner-up Philippe Couprie (1:34:00). Through 18 miles, the women’s race was a three-way battle between Jean Driscoll, Louise Sauvage, and Candace Cable. Like many of her former races, Driscoll took control during the hills, pulling away to victory in 1:52:56. It was her seventh straight win, equalling the mark for most Boston victories set by Clarence DeMar.
| 1. Heinz Frei (38, SUI) | 1:30:14 | 1. Jean Driscoll (29, IL) | 1:52:56 | |
| 2. Philippe Couprie (33, FRA) | 1:34:00 | 2. Louise Sauvage (22, AUS) | 1:54:39 | |
| 3. Thomas Sellers (30, FL) | 1:35:59 | 3. Deanna Sodoma (28, CA) | 1:56:17 |
101st Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 1997
Although the men’s and women’s races unfolded in familiar patterns, the endings were different. The change was most evident on the women’s side, as Louise Sauvage dethroned seven-time champion Jean Driscoll. The two approached Cleveland Circle together, where Driscoll’s chair overturned and her left rear wheel punctured after she collided with the streetcar tracks. As was the case with George Murray 17 years earlier, Driscoll was able to finish the race following a “quick fix,” but any shot at victory was lost. Sauvage took the title in 1:54:28, while Driscoll was second in 2:01:15. On the men’s side, Franz Nietlispach took control early and was never challenged. His time of 1:28:14 was almost seven minutes ahead of runner-up Philippe Couprie (1:35:09), as he recorded his second title in three years.
| 1. Franz Nietlispach (39, SUI) | 1:28:14 | 1. Louise Sauvage (23, AUS) | 1:54:28 | |
| 2. Philippe Couprie (34, FRA) | 1:35:09 | 2. Jean Driscoll (30, IL) | 2:01:15 | |
| 3. Eric Neitzel (21, CA) | 1:35:19 | 3. Candace Cable (42, CA) | 2:01:40 |
102nd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 20, 1998
While the champions were the same as the year before, the 1998 race was unlike any other in the 24-year history of the wheelchair division. Seven-time champion Jean Driscoll appeared to have reclaimed her title and surpassed the legendary Clarence DeMar for most all-time Boston Marathon wins, but she was passed just inches before the finish line. Defending champion Louise Sauvage, who trailed by as much as 50 yards on Boylston Street, defied the odds by making up the deficit over the final three-and-a-half city blocks of the course. Driscoll was raising her arms in victory when Sauvage slipped by to break the tape. The two posted identical times of 1:41:19. In the men’s race, Franz Nietlispach broke away from the pack by the end of the first mile and made a solo run at the record, finishing 29 seconds shy of the course mark in 1:21:52.
| 1. Franz Nietlispach (40, SUI) | 1:21:52 | 1. Louise Sauvage (24, AUS) | 1:41:19 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (34, RSA) | 1:26:37 | 2. Jean Driscoll (31, IL) | 1:41:19 | |
| 3. Saul Mendoza (31, MEX) | 1:26:38 | 3. Monica Wetterstrom (41, SWE) | 1:44:17 |
103rd Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 1999
The wheelchair division celebrated its 25th year with Franz Nietlispach and Louise Sauvage both winning their third consecutive titles. In much the same manner as a year ago, Nietlispach broke from the pack in the early miles and was in solo pursuit of the existing world best, finishing 13 seconds shy of the mark. His time of 1:21:36 stands as the second-fastest in Boston history and provided him with his fourth triumph in five years. On the women’s side, Jean Driscoll and Louise Sauvage shadowed one another for the entire 26.2 miles. Driscoll gained a slight edge on the hills, but Sauvage quickly countered on the downhills and flats. Sauvage maintained a slim edge coming onto Boylston Street where she demonstrated her world-class speed, eliminating any chance for Driscoll to break away. For the second consecutive year, the two were credited with identical finishing times (1:42:23).
| 1. Franz Nietlispach (41, SUI) | 1:21:36 | 1. Louise Sauvage (25, AUS) | 1:42:23 | |
| 2. Saul Mendoza (32, MEX) | 1:25:18 | 2. Jean Driscoll (32, IL) | 1:42:23 | |
| 3. Scot Hollonbeck (29, GA) | 1:27:58 | 3. Edith Hunkeler (26, SUI) | 1:43:48 |
104th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 17, 2000
Jean Driscoll stopped the defending women’s champion Louise Sauvage’s consecutive victory string at three. The Illinois resident’s eighth victory in 2:00:52 made her the winningest champion in Boston history, surpassing the legendary Clarence DeMar, who notched seven victories from 1911 to 1930. Driscoll made her decisive break in the 21st mile and held off Sauvage to break the tape. Heinz Frei, the Boston course record holder and world record holder (1:20:14; Oita, Japan; 1999), returned to Boston for the first time since 1997 in an effort to dethrone four-time Boston champion Franz Nietlispach. The anticipated duel between the Swiss countrymen did not materialize, however, as Nietlispach led from wire to wire. With his 1:33:32 victory, he set the mark for most consecutive victories (four) and equaled the mark set by Jim Knaub (1982–1983; 1991–1993) for most men’s titles.
| 1. Franz Nietlispach (42, SUI) | 1:33:32 | 1. Jean Driscoll (33, IL) | 2:00:52 | |
| 2. Heinz Frei (42, SUI) | 1:38:43 | 2. Louise Sauvage (26, AUS) | 2:01:16 | |
| 3. Saul Mendoza (33, MEX) | 1:39:37 | 3. Miriam Nibley (22, IL) | 2:14:4 |
105th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 16, 2001
With seven Boston Marathon titles between them, much of the pre-race attention focused on the rivalry between five-time and defending champion Franz Nietlispach and course and world recordholder Heinz Frei. Not since 1993 had someone from other than Switzerland won the men’s race, yet South Africa’s Ernst Van Dyk led from the start. He eventually won by more than six minutes in 1:25:12. With the retirement of Jean Driscoll after her eighth Boston title in 2000, many perceived Australia’s Louise Sauvage as the peerless favorite for the title at the 2001 race. However, Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland supplied the tight competition for which the women’s race has become known. Hunkeler and Sauvage raced side-by-side until Sauvage secured a four-second margin in the final 600 meters. American Miriam Nibley, 23, was fourth in 2:04:49. The field of 47 wheelchair division entrants, not including eight competitors in a handcycle exhibition, had 35 finishers (29 men, six women).
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (28, RSA) | 1:25:12 | 1. Louise Sauvage (27, AUS | 1:53:54 | |
| 2. Franz Nietlispach (43, SUI) | 1:31:22 | 2. Edith Hunkeler (28, SUI) | 1:53:58 | |
| 3. Heinz Frei (43, SUI) | 1:31:58 | 3. Sandra Graf (31, SUI) | 2:04:00 |
106th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 15, 2002
Defending men’s champion Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa made a repeat visit to the victory podium in 2002. Van Dyk asserted an early lead out of Hopkinton and extended it against countryman Krige Schabort and five-time champion Franz Nietlispach of Switzerland, crossing the finish in a personal best of 1:23:19 and posting the sixth-fastest time in the division. Schabort was runner-up in 1:26:04 while Nietlispach rounded out the top three with his 1:30:08 finish. The 2001 women’s runner-up, Switzerland’s Edith Hunkeler, claimed her first Boston title in a personal best of 1:45:57. Hunkeler pulled away from the lead pack, which included American Christina Ripp and Wakako Tsuchida of Japan, in the Newton Hills for her eagerly anticipated win after a four-second, second-place showing the previous year (Hunkeler finished third in 1999). Ripp finished in second place in 1:49:32 and Tsuchida, Japan’s first professional female wheelchair racer, was third in 1:50:09.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (29, RSA) | 1:23:19 | 1. Edith Hunkeler (29, SUI | 1:45:57 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (38, RSA) | 1:26:04 | 2. Christina Ripp (21, IL) | 1:49:32 | |
| 3. Franz Nietlispach (44, SUI) | 1:30:08 | 3. Wakako Tsuchida (27, JPN) | 1:50:09 |
107th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 2003
Ernst Van Dyk, the 2001 and 2002 champion from South Africa, defended his title in 1:28:32, never allowing his competitors to fully mount a challenge. His pursuit of the course (and perhaps world) record was thwarted, however, by headwinds which materialized by the time he reached the 10-kilometer mark. Krige Schabort, also of South Africa, had been in close contention with Van Dyk through 11 miles but clipped a child who was spectating in Natick, causing the eventual runner-up to lose valuable seconds as he stopped to ensure that the young girl was not seriously injured. In the women’s race, defending champion Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland was joined by Americans Cheri Blauwet and Christina Ripp in the early miles. Working together against a headwind in the final miles, the Americans finished 1-2 with Ripp — an accomplished basketball player at the University of Illinois at Champaign and a physical education major in her senior year — victorious in 1:54:47.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (30, RSA) | 1:28:32 | 1. Christina Ripp (22, IL) | 1:54:47 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (39, RSA) | 1:30:07 | 2. Cheri Blauwet (22, CA) | 1:54:57 | |
| 3. Kelly Smith (38, CAN) | 1:30:52 | 3. Edith Hunkeler (30, SUI) | 1:56:54 |
108th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 2004
South Africa’s Ernst Van Dyk made history in becoming the first person ever to break the one hour, 20 minute barrier and established a world record in his fourth consecutive victory. Van Dyk had targeted Heinz Frei’s 1994 course record time of 1:21:23 for years, and he believed Frei’s world record (1:20:14; Oita, Japan; 1999) also could be improved at Boston given the conditions and the competition. With Frei’s 1994 mile-by-mile splits taped to his racing chair for reference, Van Dyk improved every checkpoint record from the 15-kilometer mark onwards. His winning time of 1:18:27 was a course record by two minutes, 56 seconds, and a world record by one minute, 47 seconds. Following the race, Van Dyk credited the pursuit by runner-up Joel Jeannot, whose time was 15 seconds better than the previous course best, as a motivating factor in his historic performance. Five-time champion Franz Nietlispach’s third place in 1:23:07 made it the fastest race among the top three in race history. Stanford University medical student Cheri Blauwet, the previous year’s runner-up by a mere 10 seconds, found herself needing to maneuver amidst the tactics of Swiss compatriots Edith Hunkeler and Sandra Graf. Blauwet broke free over the Newton Hills, and extended her lead from Heartbreak Hill to the finish; she finished with the seventh fastest performance in race history (1:39:53). Hunkeler, who won in 2002, was runner-up in finishing among the top three for the fifth time. Christina Ripp, the 2003 champion, flatted twice and did not finish. The division began at 11:25 a.m., 20 minutes earlier than recent past years, and had 35 male and eight female finishers.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (31, RSA | 1:18:27# | 1. Cheri Blauwet (23, CA) | 1:39:53 | |
| 2. Joel Jeannot (38, FRA) | 1:21:08 | 2. Edith Hunkeler (31, SUI) | 1:41:13 | |
| 3. Franz Nietlispach (46, SUI) | 1:23:07 | 3. Sandra Graf (34, SUI) | 1:42:13 |
109th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 18, 2005
Ernst Van Dyk continued his string of history-making performances by surpassing Franz Nietlispach’s record for most consecutive victories in the men’s division. Van Dyk’s fifth victory (2001-2005) was recorded in 1:24:11 and with the same approach as his other wins: dominance from the start. In the five years that Van Dyk has won, his average winning time has been an incredible 3:48. Krige Schabort finished as runner-up to Van Dyk for the third time; it was his fourth second-place finish overall. In the women’s race, defending champion Cheri Blauwet solidified her dominance of the division, climbing past the competition and notching her second Boston win. The 24-year-old Stanford University medical student withstood challenges through the Newton hills by Canada’s Diane Roy and Switzerland’s Sandra Graf to finish in 1:47:45. The division had 25 male and five female finishers.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (32, RSA) | 1:24:11 | 1. Cheri Blauwet (24, CA) | 1:47:45 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (41, RSA) | 1:30:03 | 2. Diane Roy (34, CAN | 1:50:53 | |
| 3. Franz Nietlispach (47, SUI) | 1:30:34 | 3. Sandra Graf (35, SUI) | 1:51:46 |
110th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 17, 2006
Familiar faces ruled the day at the 110th Boston Marathon. Ernst Van Dyk brought a streak of five consecutive Boston victories to the line, and even his compatriot, Krige Schabort, could not deny him. Though Van Dyk fell short of his own course and world record (1:18:27), he easily pulled away from his competition. By 35K his lead was over three minutes, and by the finish it was nearly four. In the women’s race, Edith Hunkeler returned to winning form. The 2002 champion, Hunkeler settled for third in 2003 and second in 2004. In 2006, her primary challenger was 2005 runner-up Diane Roy. The two raced into Newton together, then Hunkeler made her move. Between 25K and 30K Hunkeler built up a lead of more than two minutes. By 35K the lead was up to four minutes, and she continued to pull away, winning by more than five minutes.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (33, RSA) | 1:25:29 | 1. Edith Hunkeler (33, SUI) | 1:43:42 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (42, RSA) | 1:29:04 | 2. Diane Roy (35, CAN) | 1:48:52 | |
| 3. Kelly Smith (41, CAN) | 1:29:34 | 3. Shirley Reilly (20, AZ) | 1:53:44 |
111th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 16, 2007
Ernst Van Dyk’s attempt at a seventh straight victory came up short as the course record holder placed third, after sharing the lead in the early miles. Emerging at the front of the pack and leading most of the race was Masazumi Soejima, who became the wheelchair division’s first Japanese champion when he broke the tape in 1:29:16. Soejima’s countrywoman Wakako Tsuchida gave Japan another victory as she topped the women’s division in 1:53:30. The wheelchair athletes were slowed by wet and windy conditions.
| 1. Masazumi Soejima (36, JPN) | 1:29:16 | 1. Wakako Tsuchida (32, JPN) | 1:53:30 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (43, RSA) | 1:36:27 | 2. Amanda McGrory (20, IL) | 1:58:01 | |
| 3. Ernst Van Dyk (34, RSA) | 1:37:10 | 3. Sandra Graf (37, SUI) | 2:02:30 |
112th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 2008
After an uncharacteristic third-place finish in 2007, Ernst Van Dyk returned to his winning ways in 2008, capturing his seventh Boston title and drawing within one victory of Jean Driscoll’s all-time record. Following Van Dyk across the line was Krige Schabort, who has now been the runner-up in Boston a remarkable seven times, including each of the past four years. For the second year in a row, Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida led almost from the gun in dominating the women’s race. In doing so she improved nearly five minutes from 2007, and finished almost eight minutes ahead of runner-up Diane Roy. Two-time champion Cheri Blauwet returned to Boston after a two-year hiatus, placing third.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (35, RSA) | 1:26:49 | 1. Wakako Tsuchida (33, JPN) | 1:48:32 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (44, RSA) | 1:30:39 | 2. Diane Roy (37, CAN) | 1:56:18 | |
| 3. Masazumi Soejima (37, JPN) | 1:33:00 | 3. Cheri Blauwet (27, CA) | 2:00:48 |
113th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 20, 2009
Mirroring his 2008 performance, Ernst Van Dyk captured his eighth Boston title; a win placing him with Jean Driscoll as the only competitors to have won eight Boston Marathon division titles. Although the slowest of his Boston conquests due to strong headwind, Van Dyk dominated from start to finish. Following Van Dyk was 2008 runner-up and 2007 winner, Masazumi Soejima. Spain’s Roger Puigbo Verdaguer came in third. Wakako Tsuchida captured her third consecutive win in the women’s race, breaking the tape nearly seven minutes before runner-up Diane Roy. Following Roy and third across the finish line was Shirley Reilly.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (36, RSA) | 1:33:29 | 1. Wakako Tsuchida (34, JPN) | 1:54:37 | |
| 2. Masazumi Soejima (38, JPN) | 1:36:57 | 2. Diane Roy (38, CAN) | 2:01:27 | |
| 3. Roger Puigbo Verdaguer (31, ESP) | 1:36:57 | 3. Shirley Reilly (23, AZ) | 2:04:54 |
114th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 2010
After an intense fight to the finish on Boylston Street, Ernst Van Dyk won his ninth Boston Marathon and became the most successful competitor in race history, surpassing Jean Driscoll’s eight victories. Van Dyk, who had become more accustomed to uncontested victories than come-from-behind finishes, set a record pace through the first five kilometers, but fell back as far as fourth place at mile 14. Using a late surge through Brookline and Boston, Van Dyk was positioned for a photo finish with a man who’d finished second to him seven times - Krige Schabort. As Van Dyk broke the tape three seconds ahead of Schabort, it was the second-closest finish in the history of the men’s race. On the women’s side, Wakako Tsuchida of Japan completed the fastest of her four Boston Marathon victories in 1:43:32. She finished three minutes before runner-up Diane Roy of Canada.
| 1. Ernst Van Dyk (37, RSA) | 1:26:53 | 1. Wakako Tsuchida (35, JPN) | 1:43:32 | |
| 2. Krige Schabort (46, RSA) | 1:26:56 | 2. Diane Roy (38, CAN) | 1:47:08 | |
| 3. Kota Hokinoue (36, JPN) | 1:27:05 | 3. Amanda McGrory (24, IL) | 1:57:20 |
115th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 2011
Though the spotlight shone most brightly on Geoffrey Mutai and those who chased him across the line, the three-man sprint to the finish in the men's wheelchair race could never be overlooked. With South Africa's Ernst Van Dyk going for his 10th Boston win, there was all kinds of emotion, not to mention a $15,000 first place prize, on the line. Sentimentality meant little to Kurt Fearnley (AUS) and Masazumi Soejima (JPN), who chased down the defending champ at 30K and engaged him in an epic tussle all the way down Boylston Street to the line. Passing beneath the clock, a single second separated all three; but, it was Soejima who took the crown (1:18:50), with Fearnley taking second in 1:18:51 and Van Dyk third on the same time. Helped along by a tailwind, Wakako Tsuchida's mark broke the previous world record of Jean Driscoll, 1:34:22, set on this course in 1994. It's been quite a racing stretch for the Japanese superstar, who won marathons in London, Berlin and Honolulu last year. But it's also been a time of sorrow as her nation copes with the tragedy of the recent earthquake and tsunami, and Tsuchida said even before the race that she hoped her performance could bring the country some joy.
| 1. Masuzumi Soejima (40, JPN) | 1:18:50 | 1. Wakako Tsuchida (37, JPN) | 1:34:06 | |
| 2. Kurt Fearnley (30, AUS) | 1:18:51 | 2. Shirley Reilly (30, AZ) | 1:41:01 | |
| 3. Ernst Van Dyk (38, RSA) | 1:18:51 | 3. Christina Ripp (24, CO) | 1:57:20 |
† Course Record
* American Record
# World Record