The Russian contingent was rushin' to the finish

By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff, 4/22/2003

IN TODAY'S GLOBE Road rave Zakharova takes women's title Boston street smarts Kimutai got over the hump Runyan fifth after battle Denisova knew her place: 2d Hellebuyck leads the way Ripp, Van Dyk: Spin control Russian contingent was rushin' Wellesley voices carry Heart, sole are put to the test Hopkinton's just the beginning Pushing the human body Up-close view for this father Girl OK after wheelchair collision In the running 2003 TOP TEN MEN R. Cheruiyot 2:10:11 Benjamin Kosgei Kimutai 2:10:34 Martin Lel 2:11:11 Timothy Cherigat 2:11:28 Christopher Cheboiboch 2:12:45 Fedor V. Ryzhov 2:15:29 Rodgers Rop 2:16:14 David Kiptum Busienei 2:16:16 Elly K. Rono 2:17:00 Eddy Hellebuyck 2:17:18 | Men's Top 25 | 2003 TOP TEN WOMEN Svetlana Zakharova 2:25:20 Lyubov Denisova 2:26:51 Joyce Chepchumba 2:27:20 Margaret Okaya 2:27:39 Marla Runyan 2:30:28 Albina Ivanova 2:30:57 Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova 2:31:30 Milena Glusac 2:37:32 Jill Gaitenby 2:38:19 Esther Kiplagat 2:38:43 | Women's Top 25 | 2003 MEN'S WHEELCHAIR Ernst F. Van Dyk 1:28:32 Krige Schabort 1:30:07 Kelly Smith 1:30:52 | Complete list (men & women) | 2003 WOMEN'S WHEELCHAIR Christina Ripp 1:54:47 Cheri A. Blauwet 1:54:57 Edith Hunkeler 1:56:54 | Complete list (men & women) | Search BAA database of all finishers

ussian runners didn't make their mark only on the women's division of yesterday's Boston Marathon, they also dominated the masters races.

Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova, 41, and Fedor Ryzhov, 43, both of Russia, were the women's and men's champions, respectively, and both finished within the overall top 10.

Ryzhov, who won the masters race in 2001, ran a personal best last year but finished second behind Joshua Kipkemboi. The Kenyan wasn't in the race yesterday to get in the way of Ryzhov, who finished in 2:15:29, sixth overall.

Ryzhov ran with the leaders for most of the race, and even though Kipkemboi wasn't here, another nemesis was: Eddy Hellebuyck, of Albuquerque.

''I was surprised to run side by side with Eddy for 35 kilometers,'' said Ryzhov through an interpreter. ''I didn't expect that at all, because I know Eddy isn't always consistent.''

Hellebuyck, who had to settle for being the top American men's finisher (10th, 2:17:18), was jockeying with Ryzhov as they headed down Beacon Street in Brookline. Then the Russian surged ahead, and by Kenmore Square he was catching up to the leaders. He even passed defending champion and favorite Rodgers Rop, but said he didn't notice the No. 1 bib.

''I don't look at who's behind me,'' said Ryzhov, who now lives in Portugal. ''I just keep an eye on who's in front of me and try to catch up. So I only realized it later.''

After winning Boston twice, and coming in second twice, Ryzhov was asked if he'd make it a mainstay on his racing schedule.

''At this age, you feel like every marathon is the last one,'' he said. ''But if I'm healthy at the same time next year, I'll be back.''

Sultanova-Zhdanova, who last year set a Boston course record for women's masters in 2:27:58, wasn't so fortunate this time, although she stayed with the lead pack virtually the entire race, finishing in 2:31:30 for seventh place overall.

''Well, that's the Marathon,'' she said through an interpreter.

''I thought I was better prepared this year than last year. But the weather was different. I made some tactical adjustments but they didn't work. When I felt better, I speeded up, and that hurt me.''

But she was pleased about her country making such a good showing.

''There was a lot of training and a lot of mileage,'' she said, ''and this is a good payoff.''

This story ran on page C4 of the Boston Globe on 4/22/2003.
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