A high five for Van Dyk

Defending wheelchair champions Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa and Californian Cheri Blauwet didn't set records in yesterday's 109th Boston Marathon, but each posted first-place finishes, with Van Dyk claiming the men's title for a record fifth consecutive year.

Van Dyk went wire-to-wire in 1 hour 24 minutes 11 seconds, well off his world-record 1:18:27 of a year ago, but comfortably in front of countryman Krige Schabort (1:30:03) and former winner Franz Nietlispach (1:30:34) of Switzerland. Blauwet, however, was in a three-way tussle with Diane Roy of Canada and Sandra Graf of Switzerland before pulling away from Graf, at the 13-mile mark, and then Roy, 17 1/2 miles into the race.

Both Van Dyk and Blauwet followed their game plans to perfection, Van Dyk forging an early lead and Blauwet leaving her closest pursuer behind as she approached the hills in Newton, then utilizing her ability to maneuver the higher terrain to lengthen the lead.

The champions agreed that records were out of the question because of a headwind at the starting line that didn't let up.

"Last year we had a tailwind, but this year, the headwind even got worse as the day progressed," said Van Dyk. "Boston is a great technical course and my biggest worry was the potholes and manholes that could cause a flat tire.

"I'm sure I'll be back next year to try and break the record because it is not impossible to break. But the one out there is seven in a row." That was a reference to Jean Driscoll's seven straight wins in the women's wheelchair division from 1990-96.

The only suspense was who would finish second and third, with runner-up Schabort calling it "a cat-and-mouse game between myself and Franz. He went by me at Mile 3 and again later in the course." Nietlispach, who has won five Boston Marathons (including four straight from 1997-2000), dipped to fifth before calling upon his reserve of energy to finish third.

"The gap was too much to catch [Van Dyk]," said Nietlispach. "I certainly could not hold his pace, so it was better for me to just go at my own pace."

Blauwet, from Menlo Park, finished in 1:47:45 (she was 1:39:53 a year ago) to become the 23d American winner in 29 women's wheelchair races in Boston. Roy came in at 1:50:53 and Graf in 1:51:46.

"I just followed my plan of attack," said Blauwet. "To utilize my strength, which is climbing."

Blauwet credited world record-holder Driscoll with some helpful hints.

"Jean told me that because of my climbing skills that the 17 1/2-mile mark would be the place to take off," she said.

Graf, Roy, and Blauwet were 1-2-3, switching leads on occasion from the 4-mile mark until 15 miles, when Graf fell 200 yards behind. Four miles later, there was no one in sight behind Blauwet, whose strength on the hills spelled heartbreak for her rivals. Roy said she just couldn't match Blauwet's climbing strength and after Newton, it was just a matter of holding on for second.

"It was a different feeling winning this year than last," said Blauwet. "This just felt like a more solid win. Anyone can win this race once because there is some luck involved. But winning twice makes you feel solidified in your training and rewarded for all your hard work because I've been training for many years. It is a redeeming, satisfying feeling."

Because of her ability to climb hills, Blauwet had a feeling the headwind would be to her advantage.

"There was a lot more coasting last year," she said. "Today, this was a more grinding kind of course."

Van Dyk and Blauwet each won $15,000, but bonuses for a world record ($10,000) or course record ($7,500) just weren't in the wind.