Kenyans Sweep Heart of Summer 10Ks

Kenyan runners dominated the Boston Scientific Heart of Summer 10Ks in Minneapolis on Saturday.

Angela Mutuku out-kicked Rose Kosgei for the win and the $5000 winner's check in the featured women's competition. Both were timed at 32:46 around the Lake Nokomis course.

Haron Lagat out-dueled compatriot George Misoi in the men's race. They, too, both clocked identical times -- 29:03 -- but Lagat took home the men's winner's check of $1000.

Full women's results can be found HERE.

Full men's results are HERE.

In the elite women's race, which started five minutes ahead of the elite men and citizen runners, many of the pre-race favorites showed signs of strain before the first lap of the two-lap course was complete. Two-time U.S. Olympian Elva Dryer was unable to keep contact with the four-runner lead pack of Mutuku, Kosgei, fellow Kenyan Caroline Cheptanui, and Britain's Kathy Butler.

DtB readers' poll favorite Tatiana Aryasova of Russia was even further back after the first lap; Jenny Crain of the U.S. dropped out after a lap.

The lead pack, though, held together until late in the race -- and Dryer hung tough just behind it in fifth -- until the drive to the finish. Cheptanui finished strongly for 3rd in 32:57; Butler was close behind for 4th in 33:01.

Dryer ran 33:18.

The top Minnesota finisher was Run N Fun's Amy Lyons, 7th in 33:50.

In men's competition, the lead pack of Lagat, Misoi, compatriot Mathew Chesang, Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson, and former Wartburg College star Josh Moen cruised past the starting line after the first lap in tight formation.

As with the women, a late charge to the finish separated the pack. Behind Lagat and Misoi's duel for the win, Chesang ran to 3rd in 29:07, Carlson came 4th in 29:11, and Moen was 5th with 29:33.

St. John's University senior Kelly Fermoyle was 6th in 31:11.

Update & Correction: Heart of the Summer race director Kris Wirth informs DtB that the names of the top two finishers in the event's women's competition were "inadvertently switched in the results posted by ChampionChip." Rose Kosgei was the actual winner; Angela Mutuku was the runner-up.

Correct results are now listed at the links noted above.