Caroline Kilel of Kenya has won the women's race in the 2011 Boston Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:22:36, the fastest time since the course record was set in 2002 (2:20:43). American Desire Davila, who led briefly with about 400 meters to go, finished second, four seconds behind Kilel. Kenya's Sharon Cherop came in third place.
It's the eighth win for a Kenyan in the past 12 years at the Boston Marathon. On the other side, the American drought continues -- the last American woman to win at Boston was in 1985.
New Zealand's Kim Smith led for much of the race on Monday, jumping out to an early lead and stretching it out with every mile. But an apparent leg injury slowed her, and eventually forced her to drop out of the race altogether.