SISSON WINS REEBOK BOSTON 10-K FOR WOMEN
By David Monti, @d9monti
(c) 2018 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved - Used with permission.

(09-Oct) -- Emily Sisson of Providence, R.I., won yesterday's 42nd Reebok Boston 10-K, the re-branded Tufts Health Plan 10-K for Women, in cloudy and cool conditions.  The recently-married Sisson, 26, covered the out-and-back course in Boston's Back Bay in 30:39, 33 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Buze Diriba who had shadowed Sisson for most of the race.  Sisson won $9000 in prize money.

"It was really good out there, Sisson told race organizers. "It was a perfect day, a little windy in the last mile we were going into that, but other than that it was a great atmosphere, and perfect running weather."

If Sisson's time seemed a bit fast, it was.  The second of two turnaround points on the course was moved "responding and cooperating with area public safety agencies," organizers said, making the USATF-certified course about 300 meters short.  Sisson, who also won the race in 2016, noticed something was wrong when she checked her watch at the four-mile mark.

"I have raced here maybe three or four times, and I love it here," said Sisson, who represents New Balance. "I felt really good [at mile four], and I wondered what I ran; [my watch read] 4:05 and I said, 'I don't feel THAT good.'"

As such, the course record of 31:21 set by Sisson's training partner Molly Huddle still stands.

Behind Sisson and Diriba, a big second pack fought for the final podium position.  Former University of Colorado star Erin Clark got away from Dylan Hassett and Holly Rees to capture the third spot in her first professional race for the Hoka Northern Arizona Elite team.  She clocked 32:19 and won $3000 in prize money (Diriba earned $5000).

"The course may have been short on distance, but it sure wasn't short on enthusiasm!" Clark tweeted.

In all, 2674 women finished the race.  The youngest was 9 year-old Asa Labell of South Hamilton, Mass., who clocked an impressive 50:50 (net time).  The oldest was 87 year-old Phyllis Mays of Needham, Mass., who was the last finisher in 1:55:54 (net time).


PHOTO: Emily Sisson winning the 2018 Reebok Boston 10-K for Women in 30:30 (photo courtesy of Conventures)