Rutto’s Bloomsday victory his first big win

Maybe Kenya’s Lani Kiplagat Rutto should have an emergency tooth extraction before every big race. Rutto shook off the Friday procedure and outraced fellow countryman, defending champion and racing partner Allan Kiprono Sunday for his first Bloomsday win. “I’m so happy to win a big race like this one,” said Rutto, who finished second at the Asics Los Angeles Marathon earlier this year. Rutto (34:22) and Kiprono (34:33) were among the lead pack from the beginning of the 39th running of 12 kilometer (7.46 mile) race. Kiprono took the lead, just as he did in 2014, near Government Way and Riverside Avenue. But Rutto passed him at T.J. Meenach Bridge and lengthened his lead on the approach to Doomsday Hill. Kiprono cut Rutto’s lead up the legendary grade and nearly caught Rutto. But the 26-year-old turned and looked back at Oak Street and Broadway Avenue before turning on a kick of his own to run away with the victory. Kiprono, 25, was seeking his third Bloomsday victory (2014, 2012). He finished 22 seconds behind his winning time from last year. Despite the near perfect conditions, none of the runners were able to challenge the course record of 33:51 set in 2008 by Kenya’s Micah Kogo. Because of his ability to attack climbs, Kiprono said he thought he could catch Rutto on Doomsday Hill. “I started to move forward. I thought I was going to catch him, but it was too late for me,” Kiprono said. “I’m not disappointed. I’m happy for Lani to win it.” Dieter Hogen is the agent for both Kiprono and Rutto. He said Rutto developed a toothache earlier in the week, but the runner did not have time to deal with the pain before leaving Kenya. With the help of Bloomsday elite athlete coordinator Jon Neill, Rutto was able to have an emergency tooth extraction on Friday in Spokane. He woke up Saturday with pain, but he woke up Sunday feeling much better, he said. “I woke up not feeling anything,” Rutto said. “I knew (Kiprono) is a strong runner. I was trying to maintain the lead. It was not easy. Today, I felt great.” With the win, Rutto earned the $7,000 top prize. Kiprono got $4,500 for second and fellow Kenyan Isaac Mwangi got $3,000 for third (34:55). Hogen said he was just as surprised by Rutto’s dominance. Rutto finished fifth twice in Bloomsday (2013, 2012) and was 13th last year. “He’s won a couple smaller races. This is the first time he’s really won a big race,” Hogen said. “To take the lead so early and to maintain it is so hard to do. I’m really happy for him.”

Top American

Luke Puskedra, of Eugene, ran among the leaders to begin the race but fell back near the end. However, he earned the $5,400 prize for finishing as the top American in the race (35:47). He finished 12th overall. Griffith Graves, of Blowing Rock, N.C., finished as the second-best American (35:54) for the $2,800 purse. Carlos Trujillo, of New York, N.Y., earned $1,250 for third place (36:59) in the category.

Evergreen runners

Jonathan Lafler, of Seattle, finished in first place (37:23) among Washington runners and earned $1,000. Seth Bridges, of Anderson Island finished second (38:15) in the category and Andrew Kimpel (Washington State/North Central High) placed third in 38:30.