Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot is now a four-time winner of the Boston Marathon, with previous wins in 2003, 2006 and 2007. With a time of 2:07:43, the Kenyan won his third straight Boston Marathon. "When I go I don't look back, I just move," said Cheruiyot to reporters after the race.

He was followed by Morocco's Abderrahime Bouramdane on the second spot and Khalid El Boumlili on the third spot, lagging behind 1:18 after Cheruiyot and 2:49 respectively. Cheruiyot thus snatched the recently enhanced prize of $150,000, together with the women's winner Dire Tune of Ethiopia.

"It's very difficult when you're running alone here in Boston," he said, quoted by AP. "You need company."

Cheruiyot, who became a high school dropout because he could not afford fees, managed to reach Moses Tanui's training camp in Kaptagat. From there on his career broke through and he soon headed for international competitions. His first big wins were the 2002 Milan Marathon in Italy and the Saint Silvester Marathon at the end of 2002.

He won the Boston in 2003 at his first try, but in 2005 strangely he only finished fifth. However, Cheruiyot came back with a vengeance and his 2006 finishing time of 2:07:14 broke a Boston marathon course record set by Cosmas Ndeti that had lasted 12 years.

The Boston Marathon begun in 1897, one year after the 1896 Summer Olympics. Its course runs through 26.22 miles of winding roads culminating in Heartbreak Hill near Boston College, an ascent over one-half mile long.