BOSTON — The Boston Marathon can humble even the most decorated champions. Runners who are new to its topography might get the wrong idea at the start, thanks to an opening chunk of Route 135 that unspools toward Ashland, Mass. It is downhill and fast, offering a bit of sadistic sleight of hand that masks the climbs to come as the course works its way toward Boylston Street in Boston.
It is one thing to study a map and be forewarned. It is another thing altogether to lace up your carbon-plated super sneakers and experience it firsthand.
On Monday, the 127th edition of the Boston Marathon served up its usual grab bag of triumphs and small calamities. In defending his men’s title, Evans Chebet of Kenya used his experience to separate himself from a celebrated field that included Eliud Kipchoge, the world-record holder. And Hellen Obiri exercised patience to make it a Kenyan sweep by taking the women’s crown in only her second marathon.
“When it comes to running a marathon, anything can happen,” said Obiri, 33, who embraced her 7-year-old daughter, Tania, after crossing the finish line in 2 hours 21 minutes 38 seconds. “It’s a long, long way.”
A long, long way for about 30,000 athletes who tackled the course amid cold, early-morning drizzles, and a long, long way for…
