Two miles later, Koech was 40 yards ahead of Melly. Race over.

The diminutive Koech, making his debut in the 10-mile Broad Street race, won in 46 minutes 23 seconds. Melly finished 1 minute 37 seconds behind Koech.

Macharia Yuot, the former Widener University runner, placed third for the second consecutive year. Yuot was 3 seconds behind Melly.

Melly said a foot problem prevented him from staying with Koech.

Koech's training partner is Patrick Cheruiyot, who set the Broad Street course record of 45:14 last year. Koech said Cheruiyot is back in Kenya training for the Olympics.

Cheruiyot advised Koech that Broad Street is "a good course."

Through the first few miles, Koech was running at a pace to break the course mark. Koech completed the first mile in 4:34, the second in 9:06 and the third in 13:42.

But Koech, who at 21 is a year younger than Cheruiyot, said he didn't pursue the course record "because I didn't have somebody to push me."

Koech collected $1,500 for winning. He also won a 10K and half marathon in Bermuda in January.

Americans Matt Pelletier (49:06) and Ross Martinson (49:34) were fourth and fifth respectively. Pelletier is a marathoner from Warwick, R.I. Martinson, a former Saint Joseph's University runner, is from Conshohocken. Martinson improved over his eighth-place finish (49:51) a year ago.

Murage wins women's race

Asked what her racing plan was, the 5-2 Murage replied, "To win the race."

Murage, who just turned 21, and Chepkorir, 20, were together until they were near the 5-mile mark at Spring Garden Street. Murage opened a 4-second lead and maintained a comfortable advantage.

"I was confident I would stay ahead," Murage said. "I had a lot of strength."

Murage also collected $1,500 for her victory.

Two Philadelphia residents were third and fourth in the women's race. Abby Dean, 36, finished in 58:38 while Andrea Niggemeier, 38, was clocked in 59:01. Catherine Ndereba, a four-time Boston Marathon winner, set the women's Broad Street record of 53:07 in 1999.

Record field

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