Kawauchi and Linden record shock wins in Boston Marathon

Japan's Yuki Kawauchi and America's Desiree Linden scored stunning victories in a wet and windy Boston Marathon on Monday.

Japan's Yuki Kawauchi scored a stunning victory in the men's division, running down defending champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya in an unofficial two hours, 15 minutes and 54 seconds. More photos from the Boston Marathon: https://t.co/EE28x4o239 ???? @brian_photog pic.twitter.com/JXnF05YvBa

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) April 16, 2018

Kawauchi ran down defending champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya in an unofficial two hours, 15 minutes and 54 seconds. He is the first Japanese man to win the event since 1987.

Kirui took second place.

Kawauchi and Linden record shock wins in Boston Marathon https://t.co/gm6zi0E21n pic.twitter.com/ctawb0IFDu

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 16, 2018

Linden ended a 33-year drought for American women to prevail in 2:39.54 as runners, many clad in rain tops, endured heavy rain and temperatures in the 40s (4C).

An American woman had not won the historic race since Lisa Larsen Weidenbach in 1985. — Reuters