Saturday April 17th, 2021
Boston, MA
Distance: 5K
The B.A.A. 5K began in 2009, and became an instant hit among runners from far and wide. Viewed by many as the “calm before the storm,” the Sunday of Marathon weekend traditionally was for shopping, loading up on carbohydrates at the pasta dinner, and most importantly- resting. But now, runners of shorter distances, and even a few marathoners looking for a last-minute tune-up are taking to Boylston Street in anticipation of the big day.
The race helps people get into the running spirit of the weekend, and offers the unique opportunity to cross the Boston Marathon finish line in front of hundreds of cheering spectators.
The 5K (3.1 mile) flat, loop course begins on Boylston Street at the Copley Square fountain, near the intersection with Clarendon Street, and ends at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
| Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
| Male | 13:42 | Hagos Gebrhiwet | 24 | Ethiopia |
| 2nd Male | 13:44 | Ben True | 33 | West Lebanon, NH |
| 3rd Male | 13:46 | Justyn Knight | 22 | Canada |
| 4th Male | 13:49 | Ben Flanagan | 24 | Canada |
| Female | 15:16 | Monicah Ngige | 25 | Kenya |
| 2nd Female | 15:29 | Violah Lagat | 30 | Kenya |
| 3rd Female | 15:35 | Gotytom Gebresllase | 24 | Ethiopia |
| 4th Female | 15:36 | Kimberley Conley | 33 | Oakland, CA |
| Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
| M 40-49 | 15:53 | BRENDAN PRINDIVILLE | 42 | BOSTON MA |
| M 50-59 | 16:29 | ANDY GARDINER | 53 | DOVER MA |
| M 60-69 | 18:15 | RUSSELL BLATT | 62 | WEST HARTFORD CT |
| M 70+ | 21:26 | GORDON MACFARLAND | 71 | BURLINGTON VT |
| F 40-49 | 17:20 | JENNIFER RHINES | 44 | SAN DIEGO MA |
| F 50-59 | 21:15 | JACQUELINE SHAKAR | 59 | SUTTON MA |
| F 60-69 | 23:10 | DEBORAH LAZAROFF | 63 | JACKSON MI |
| F 70+ | 26:35 | BUTEENA PFEFFER | 71 | VENICE FL |
What’s a Little Rain? BAA 5K Boasts Fast, Fun Finishes
Monicah Ngige runs a PR in the women’s pro race, while Ben True is edged again by defending champ Hagos Gebrhiwet.
Before nearly 30,000 people line up for theBoston Marathonon Monday, about 10,000 other runners finished their own race around Boston with the 11th annual BAA 5K on Saturday morning.
Joining them were some of the fastest runners in the country and around the globe. The flat course usually boasts some wicked-fast times—even American records. But off and on drizzles and just enough gusts of wind to slow the pros down made for more tactical races as the pros battled it out on Commonwealth Avenue and Boylston Street. Here’s a look at how each race played out.
Women’s Race
Breaking the tape was Monicah Ngige of Kenya in 15:16. Along with the satisfaction of her fastest 5K time on the roads (her previous bestwas her 15:24 last yearwhen she placed third), Ngige takes home $7,500 for the win.
Ngige ended up battling with an opponent she didn’t even know.Violah Lagat—one of Olympic medalistBernard Lagat’syounger sisters who is a 4:04 1500-meter runner—was a late entrant to the race. Ngige said after the race she had no idea who Lagat was or how fast she was.
“Sometimes you don’t know who is coming to the race,” Ngige said. “So, you just come and run your race, you know?”
Lagat took second in 15:29, followed by Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia in third (15:35). Just missing out on a podium spot was Kim Conley, who tried to close on Gebreslase when the runners hit the final stretch around Boston Common. Conley, the top American woman, took fourth in a time of 15:36. She said after the race she’s been slowly grinding her way back into top fitness after a ligament tear in her foot more than a year ago.
- The race begins on Charles Street and proceeds right onto Boylston Street before taking another right onto Arlington Street.
- Participants then take a left onto Commonwealth Avenue, eventually passing the one mile mark.
- Reaching Charlesgate West, runners will turn around onto the inbound side of Commonwealth Avenue and follow the Boston Marathon race course, taking a right on Hereford Street and left on Boylston Street, ultimately passing over the Boston Marathon finish line.
- Participants will continue down Boylston Street before taking a left on Charles Street for the finish between the Public Garden and Boston Common.
