Elaine Chao Visits the Valley (in National News) Beware Rogue Immigration Consultants! (in Bay Area News) Aftermath of the Spy Plane Standoff (in Business) San Francisco International Film Fest (in A&E) Emil Amok: The Puckheads Think They're Funny (in Opinion)

Ahead of the Pack

Lee Bong-Ju of South Korea raises his arm as he crosses the finish line and breaks the tape to win the 105th Boston Marathon in Boston, Monday April 16.

By Staff and Newswires

When South Korean Lee Bong-ju ran for the finish line at the Boston Marathon, he ended Kenya’s streak of 10 men’s victories in a row — and became the first Korean to win the race since 1950.

“I knew I was running alone against many Kenyans, but the marathon is competing by yourself,” said Lee, who finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 43 seconds. “I focused on competing by myself and not paying attention to the others.”

The Kenyans were hoping for an unprecedented 11th straight win, but the best they could do was Joshua Chelang’a, who finished 46 seconds behind Lee in third place. The pack of two dozen men who ran together for the first half of the race dwindled to three by the 25th mile, when Chelang’a fell back. Ecuador’s Silvio Guerra dropped off the pace soon after, leaving Lee to run alone down Boston’s Boylston Street, his right fist raised in triumph.

The other two Koreans who have won the Boston Marathon are Yun bok-suh in 1947 and Kee Yong-ham in 1950.

“The last winners were my heroes,” Lee said.