The 128th edition of the Boston Marathon saw a record number of runners take to the streets. However, while the limelight is always grabbed by the winner, the athlete finishing last also holds significant importance. It takes a lot of courage for an athlete to complete the race, knowing fully well that they won’t win. Similar stories of grit and determination were witnessed at the recently concluded Boston Marathon, too. 

Kento Otsu and Sara Lopez were the ones who finished last in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively. In the non-binary category, Kotut Cybrian was the last one to cross the finishing line. While these athletes might have finished last, a look at their careers would reveal their incredible potential.

Kento Otsu and Sara Lopez impress despite finishing last

Japanese athlete Kento Otsu recorded a time of 2:17:57 to take the 25th position at the Boston Marathon. While at the halfway mark, the 32-year-old was very much in contention, clocking 1:07:02, merely seven minutes behind the winner. However, his performance can very well be termed a bad day in the office. A look at his career records will reveal that Otsu’s personal best in a marathon is 2:08:15. The time is tantalizingly close to what the winner, Sisay Lemma, ran, clocking 2:06:17. 

Trending

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT

Bronny’s Suffering Doesn’t Affect Brother Bryce as LeBron James’ Younger Son Sees Stability Financially

April 28, 2024 02:24 PM EDT

“Trying to Mourn…”: After “Brother’s” Death, Brenden Rice Admits Falling 4 Rounds in the NFL Draft as Chargers Draft Jerry Rice’s Son

April 28, 2024 11:50 AM EDT

“Simone (Biles’) Retirement”: Gymnastics World Worried After Coach Cecile Landi’s Georgia Decision

April 26, 2024 02:42 AM EDT

“Colby Called the Cops” – Ryan Garcia Teaching Covington His Boxing Secrets Leaves Combat World in Splits

April 28, 2024 07:49 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Next up, in the women’s category, Sara Lopez finished with numbers reading 2:40:28 on the clock. Once again, to judge her solely on this performance would be a foolish act. Lopez clinched gold in the Utah Valley 10k marathon in 2022. Dominating the race, Lopez finished with a record time of 32:59.

She also won the Eugene marathon in April 2023 to cement herself a place in the US Olympic Trials for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Competing in Boston, she maintained a good pace as she completed the 10,000 mark in 36:07s. However, Hellen Obiri, the winner, sped up to register a time of 2:22:37 to guarantee her triumph.

Other winners from the Boston Marathon include Marcel Hug (Men’s Wheelchair), Rainbow Cooper Eden (Women’s Wheelchair), Julien Pinsonneault (Duo Teams Men), and Alicia Dana (Handcycle Women). Surely, as the Boston Marathon concluded, it ended up being one of the most successful races of all time. Interestingly, the Boston Chamber of Commerce Chief, Jim Rooney, foreshadowed the same long before the race began.

Jim Rooney envisioned the Boston Marathon’s success

When 30,000 runners signed up for the event, Jim Rooney had the writing pretty much on the wall. Recording the largest footfall in the post-pandemic era, the 128th Boston Marathon was history in the making. Crowds from 130 different countries started to flock to Boston months before the event. This year’s marathon also broke the record for garnering $200 million in funding overall.

However, such a warm reception would not be limited to the event day, according to Rooney. He went on to say that 2024 would be a massive year for the tourism industry in Boston. Reflecting on the same, Rooney said, “It will be the biggest year for tourism since the pandemic, with people eager to return to travel.” Thus, with things getting back to normal, the Boston Marathon is looking to grow bigger in the coming days.