Geoffrey Kirui and Edna Kiplagat led a Kenyan clean sweep at the 121st Boston Marathon on Monday, both timing late bursts to perfection to claim the men’s and women’s races of the prestigious event.

Kirui, 24, produced a devastating sprint with four miles to go to settle an enthralling tactical battle with American rival Galen Rupp, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist.

Kirui waved and smiled as he took the tape in a time of 2hr 9min 37sec, with Rupp finishing in second.

In the women’s race, Kiplagat conjured a similarly decisive burst over the closing stages to claim the race for the first time.The 2011 and 2013 world marathon champion took the tape in 2:21:52 after breaking away from the field with around eight miles to go.Kiplagat, 37, was greeted by her children and family members as she crossed the line.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious races over the distance on the athletics calendar.

Report by Miyen Akiri