Malvern Runners Take On Boston Marathon

MALVERN, PA – As some of the greatest distance runners in the world galloped through the streets of Boston for the 2017 Boston Marathon, there were five Malvern residents among them.

They were led by 62-year-old Keith Straw, who battled heat and wind to run 3:28:09, good enough to place 6,553th overall. Just over 30,000 runners entered the race.

Here's how Malvern's five entrants fared on Monday:

• Keith Straw, 62, 3:28:09 (6,553th)
• Laura Taddei, 47, 3:32:23 (7665th)
• Natalie Phrompeng, 39, 4:05:46 (16853th)
• Page C. Greenberg, 63, 4:24:58 (20285th)
• Johanna Hantel, 57, 7:19:37 (26409th)

The men's race was won by Kenyan Geoffrey Kirui, who pulled away from U.S. Olympian and 2016 silver medalist in the marathon, Galen Rupp, with just under two miles to go. Kirui's time of 2:09:37 beat Rupp by 21 seconds.

On the women's side, Kenya also took home the victory, as Kenya's Edna Kiplagat won in more decisive fashion in 2:21:52. From the American perspective, perhaps the most exciting performance of the event was Jordan Hasay, who placed third overall in her first marathon ever, running 2:23:00.

The top Pennsylvania athlete was 31-year-old Sean Clark of Glenside, who ran 2:31:03, good enough for 81st overall.

2017 marks the 121st running of the Boston Marathon, making it the oldest annual marathon in the country. It's also one of the most competitive, as entry is restricted to runners who have met qualifying standards for their age group.

2017 is the fourth anniversary of the 2013 bombings which killed three and injured more than 200.

Marathon Monday, or Patriots' Day, is considered one of great sports days of the year in Boston. The Red Sox played against the Tampa Bay Rays as the race roared by outside Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the game, 4-3.

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