Kosgei and Merga claim Boston Marathon titles

KENYA'S Salina Kosgei won the women's race and Ethiopian Deriba Merga claimed the men's title at the Boston Marathon.

CLOSE WIN: Kenya's Salina Kosgei just edges a close finish to claim victory at the Boston Marathon (Getty Images)

Kosgei called on her long-forgotten career as a track sprinter to outkick defending champion Dire Tune and American Kara Goucher to win by just a stride in a pedestrian two hours, 32 minutes and 17 seconds.

Tune collapsed with exhaustion and was admitted to hospital but was released after two hours of observation.

“I was a sprinter before and I used to run 800 meters, so I know about sprinting,” said Kosgei, who became the first Kenyan woman to win the race since Rita Jeptoo in 2006.

“The finish was kind of funny, it wasn’t easy for me and I tried to push. I know Tune was trying to push so we pushed all the way.”

Merga's victory made amends for his disappointment at last year's Olympics in Beijing, when he faded in the heat and finished just outside the medals.

He finished almost a minute clear of nearest rivals Kenya's Daniel Rono and American Ryan Hall in two hours, eight minutes 42 seconds.

In the wheelchair races, South Africa's Ernst Van Dyk won the men's title and Japan's Wakako Tsuchida claimed the women's race.