2012 John Hancock Elite Athlete Field
Top Contenders: Women
Caroline Kilel, Kenya: Kilel is determined to defend her Boston crown. Although she faces the fastest field ever assembled in Boston, she knows what it takes to win. Last year she traded the lead with Desiree Davila down the home stretch and prevailed by two seconds. She has five additional career marathon wins to her credit.
Firehiwot Dado, Ethiopia: The winner of the 2011 New York City Marathon, Dado ran the fastest time ever run by an Ethiopian woman with her 2:23:15 finish. She is a three-time winner in Rome and has won Florence.
Sharon Cherop, Kenya: Third in Boston and third at the World Championships Marathon last year, Cherop competed in Dubai in January and placed seventh in a personal best 2:22:39.
Buzunesh Deba, Ethiopia: Runner up in New York City to Firehiwot Dado by four seconds last year, Deba has won eight marathons in the U.S. She lives in the Bronx and trains in New Mexico.
Mamitu Daska, Ethiopia: Daska is the second fastest woman in the 2012 Boston field. She set a new course record of 2:21:59 in Frankfurt last year and also won Houston in 2011 and Dubai in 2010.
Galina Bogomolova and Alevtina Biktimirova, Russia: Bogomolova and Biktimirova are back in shape after taking time off to have children. Bogomolova is a former 2:20:47 Russian national record-holder and Biktimirova was second in Boston in 2008.
Caroline Rotich, Kenya: The fourth place finisher in Boston last year, Rotich also finished seventh in New York City in 2011. She is the 2009 Las Vegas winner and 2010 B.A.A. Half Marathon and 2011 New York City Half Marathon champion.
Agnes Kiprop, Kenya: Kiprop had a productive year in 2011 placing second in both Paris and Frankfurt (2:23:54). She is also a past champion in Frankfurt, Turin and Reims. At Boston in 2010, she finished 11th.
Rita Jeptoo, Kenya: The 2006 Boston Marathon champion, Jeptoo returns after maternity leave and is ready to reclaim her Boston title. Last year she ran three marathons and won in Eldoret at altitude.