Atsede Baysa comes from behind to win Boston Marathon women’s division

Atsede Baysa, of Ethiopia, crosses the finish line to win the women's division of the 120th running of the Boston Marathon. Brian Snyder / Reuters

By John Waller

April 18, 2016

Just before the 22-mile mark, Atsede Baysa, of Ethiopia, trailed the women’s leaders of the 120th Boston Marathon by 37 seconds.

Two miles later, she was in the lead.

On Boylston Street, Baysa was all alone, as she won the 2016 edition of the race in 2:29:19. She finished 44 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Tirfi Tsegaye, also of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s Atsede Baysa easily wins #BostonMarathon today. #wbzmarathon #WBZ #Baysa pic.twitter.com/xCPm1i7Q2r

— Scott Sullivan (@SullySportsTV) April 18, 2016

Top 3 for the Women’s #BostonMarathon
#1 Atsede Baysa (??ETH) 2:29:19
#2 Tirfi Tsegaye (??ETH) 2:30:03
#3 Joyce Chepkirui (??KEN) 2:30:50

— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) April 18, 2016

Joyce Chepkirui, of Kenya, placed third in 2:30:50.

Baysa, a two-time winner at the Chicago and Paris marathons, was running her first Boston Marathon at age 29. For winning Boston, she takes home $150,000 in prize money.

Defending champion Caroline Rotich dropped out of the race with an apparent injury at the 5-mile mark.

Lemi Berhanu Hayle, also of Ethiopia, won the men’s race.