Mutai, who ditched his competitors at the 4-mile mark of the course that began and ended on Charles Street near the Public Garden, was 18 seconds shy of the world record set by Micah Kogo of Kenya in Holland in 2009. His time was the second-fastest road race 10K of 2011 and also set a Massachusetts state record previously owned by Johnny Gregorek (28:15 in 1985).
Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia had pushed his way to the front of the pack to join Mutai and Sam Chelanga of Kenya, but, before the 4-mile mark, Chelanga faded.
It wasn’t long before Mutai also left Gebremariam behind as he stretched his lead to nearly a block. Along the final mile on Commonwealth Avenue, Mutai’s lead was a block long and Gebremariam wasn’t in sight.
“Mutai is strong,’’ said Gebremariam. “We push neck to neck for 2-3 miles, but he dropped me though.’’
Once he finished, Mutai took a couple of light steps and then returned to the finish line to greet Gebremariam, who crossed in 28:11. Moses Mosop of Kenya finished third in 28:29. The trio also held the top three spots in the Boston Marathon, with Mosop finishing in second and Gebremariam third.
Without anyone at his heels, Mutai said he didn’t have the push to record a faster time.
“I was feeling comfortable, but I lacked somebody to push with,’’ Mutai said. “If I was to push with [someone else] I feel like I was capable to run even more faster.’’
Mutai’s impressive time at the Boston Marathon did not count as an official record because the course failed to meet the standards required by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Despite the ruling, Mutai left Boston in April feeling good about his win, then, two weeks later, training partner Peter Cheros was killed in an accident.
After taking some time off, Mutai returned to training with the goal of competing in the marathon in the 2012 Olympics in London.
The shorter races are part of the training for elite runners. Kilel said she took a break after the Boston Marathon and returned to her training.
Yesterday’s race also was a step in a positive direction for runners such as Kim Smith of New Zealand. Smith, who trains in Providence, was unable to finish the marathon in April because of a calf strain.
Smith finished second yesterday in 32:06. Through the first couple of miles, Smith said she was able to keep pace with Kilel.
“[The course] didn’t feel fast,’’ Smith said. “The humidity I think made it a little slow. I think it could have been a fast course if it was a less humid day for me.’’
Yesterday’s 10K awarded $30,000 in prize money, with $5,000 going to each winner.
“For me it was like a dream,’’ Mutai said. “I come to win the 10K.
“For it to be in Boston, it is special. I feel like I’m at home.’’
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com.
