In 2011, Geoffrey Mutai blistered the Boston Marathon course in a world best time of 2:03:02. Last year, it was all about the hot pace. This year, it was just plain hot, with temperatures of 79 degrees at the start and nearly 85 degrees at the finish. In a display of smart tactics, Wesley Korir of Kenya passed runners one by one in the final miles before drawing even with Levy Matebo of Kenya near the 25 mile water station and making his winning surge to break the tape in 2:12:40. Matebo finished second in 2:13:06 and Bernard Kipyego of Kenya finished third in 2:13:13.

In 2011, Sharon Cherop of Kenya was caught unaware on Boylston Street, missing out on the sprint finish that gave Caroline Kilel a narrow victory over Desiree Davila. This year, Cherop used her Boston Marathon experience to hold off a last-ditch, dramatic surge by her good friend Jemima Jelagat Sumgong of Kenya. Cherop prevailed in 2:31:50, with Sumgong finishing two seconds behind. Georgina Rono of Kenya finished third in 2:33:09. It was the fifth consecutive year in which the women’s race at the Boston Marathon was decided by three seconds or less.

The top American finisher of the day, Jason Hartmann of Boulder, CO, stayed with the leaders early on, then faded slightly before picking off runners late in the race to claim fourth place. It was the third consecutive year an American man has placed fourth, with Ryan Hall taking those honors in 2010 and 2011. Sheri Piers of Falmouth, ME was the top American woman and the master’s runner-up, running 2:41:55.

In the men’s wheelchair competition, Joshua Cassidy from Toronto, ON scored a superb world record victory over 2011 second placed finisher, Kurt Fearnley from Hamilton, Australia. Although South Africa’s Ernst Van Dyk was in search of his 10th Boston victory, once the racing began, it was all about Cassidy. At finish line, his 1:18:25 victory trimmed two seconds from Van Dyk’s world and course record, set in 2004, and gave him a full 3:14 advantage over the second placed Fearnley’s 1:21:39. Third place went to Kota Hokinoue from Japan in 1:23:26.

The women's wheelchair mirrored the men's mass finish race from 2011, with two ladies coming down Boylston Street side by side. Defending champion, Japan's Wakako Tsuchida, and Shirley Reilly (USA) roared down the last 600 meters of the course. Reilly held off Tsuchida's final push to win in a time of 1:37:36. Tsuchida's was only one second back in 1:37:36.

The 2012 Boston Marathon had 26,656 entrants, 22,480 starters, and 21,554 finishers. Despite the heat, nearly 96% of those who started the race reached the finish line. Among the 15,504 male entrants, 13,173 started and 12,588 finished. There were 11,152 female entrants, 9,307 of whom started, and 8,966 of whom finished.

With the help of principal sponsor, John Hancock Financial Services, more than $806,000 in prize money was awarded to the top finishers. Wesley Korir and Sharon Cherop both took home $150,000 in prize money for their victories. John Hancock Financial Services provided the first-ever prize money and bonus awards in 1986.

In 2012, the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program, combined with John Hancock’s Non-Profit Bib Program, is expected to raise a total of more the $16.5 million for deserving charities.

Contribution by James O'Brien and Michael Keebler