Deriba Merga Wins Boston Marathon

Deriba Merga of Ethiopia won the prestigious 2009 Boston Marathon Sunday with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 42 seconds. The 113th Boston Marathon takes place throughout 26.2 miles of the New England territory ending in Boston at Heartbreak Hill. Salina Kosgei of Kenya won the women’s race at 2:32:16, stride ahead of defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia.

$150,000 will be awarded to both Merga and Kosgei for winning the historic marathon. Known as Patriots Day, the Boston Marathon occurs on the third Monday in April and is the oldest annual marathon in the world. More than 25,000 runners participate in this event annually.

Merga who came in fourth at the Beijing Olympics last year made it clear that he was the best in the world, finishing the race more than 45-seconds ahead of second place. This was not only a great win for Merga, but also the country of Ethiopia who recently lost a musical and cultural icon in Tilahun Gessesse Sunday night.