WORLD LEAD FOR MUTAI, DEFENDS B.A.A. 10K TITLE IN 27:29

Geoffrey Mutai successfully defended his crown here at the 2012 B.A.A. 10K, running away from a stellar field here on the streets of Boston. Crossing the finish in 27:29, the fastest 10K run thus far in 2012 and the fifth fastest ever on American soil, Mutai was all smiles.

"I am happy again. I don't know if you know all my happiness when I am in Boston. It is not like other races," said the champion.

After pushing the pace through two miles in 8:51, Mutai and fellow Kenyan Philip Langat broke away from the rest of the eight-man lead pack. Turning down Bay State Road and running through the picturesque campus of Boston University, Mutai and Langat were pushing together.

"I was very happy when I was running with Geoffrey because I knew we were on course record [pace]," said Langat. "I was trying his pace, and I follow him. When I saw the people cheering outside, I caught the morale to follow him and run a good time."

MORE ON THE MEN'S RACE - click here

KIM SMITH SETS COURSE RECORD AT B.A.A. 10K

By Michael Keebler

A beautiful summer morning greeted 4,576 runners gathering on Boston Common for the 2nd annual B.A.A. 10K on June 24. As the runners toed the line at 8:00 a.m. under bright and sunny skies, the conditions were set for fast running, with a temperature of 74.4 degrees, 42% humidity, and very low winds.

The elite women stuck together in the early stages of the race, making their way through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood and heading down scenic Commonwealth Avenue. The women ran in a tightly bunched pack that included Ethiopia’s Aheza Kiros and Kim Smith, of New Zealand.

MORE ON THE WOMEN'S RACE -  click here