Boston marathon braces for punishing heat

Deaths have been rare at the Boston Marathon, possibly because entrants tend to be experienced runners. Kenyan Caroline Kilel, who will defend her 2011 women's Boston title, said she does not expect hot temperatures to make much difference to her race.

"If you are an inexperienced runner, you should consider very carefully if you should run or not," said Tom Grilk, the BAA's executive director.Mutai looks for second straight Boston Marathon
What can Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya do for an encore? The 30-year-old ran the fastest marathon ever (2:03:02) in last year's Boston Marathon. The 116th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16 features not only Mutai, but also the 2010 winner Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, who looks for his sixth career victory in Boston. Kenya's Sharon Cherop was also right there with a third-place finish, just six seconds behind Kilel.
Kenya has dominated the Boston Marathon's Women's Championship with eight victories in the last 12 runnings, a statistic not as impressive as the men from Kenya, but still solid nonetheless.
Boston Marathon Cheat Sheet
DEFENDING CHAMPION
Geoffrey Mutai (Kenya, 2:03:02 PR) destroyed fields and course records at Boston and New York City last year, and says he’s in similar shape now. Mutai won the San Blas Half Marathon in Puerto Rico in February, so has recent success at racing in the heat.
Wilson Chebet (Kenya, 2:05:27) won both marathons he ran last year, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, in 2:05. Josphat Ndambiri (Kenya, 2:07:36) won Fukuoka in December in his debut. David Barmasai (Kenya, 2:07:18) has won three of the four marathons he’s run. Levy Matebo (Kenya, 2:05:16) has the second-fastest PR in the field on record-eligible courses. He’s won the Barcelona Marathon, so should be good in the heat.
Frankline Chepkwony (Kenya, 2:10:59) ran his seemingly slow PR in Nairobi at more than 5,000 feet of altitude. TOP CHALLENGERS
Firehiwot Dado (Ethiopia, 2:23:15) won New York City last fall as well as last month’s NYC Half Marathon.
Agnes Kiprop (Kenya, 2:23:54) was second in her two marathons last year, Paris and Frankfurt. She’s won marathons in three countries.
Sheri Piers (age 40) and Camille Herron ran 2:37:09 and 2:37:14, respectively, at the Olympic Marathon Trials in January.