On a day when runners had to battle through cold wind and rain, the women’s race went to Caroline Rotich of Kenya, who outsprinted the women’s race favourite, Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia, to win by four seconds in 2:24:55.

Both winners earned a prize of $150,000 (£101,000/€140,000).

Two years ago, Desisa donated his medal to the city in memory of the victims of the bombing at the finish of the race a few hours after he had crossed the line.

Two years on, as the city sought to once again to employ maximum security measures while maintaining the traditional atmosphere of relaxed enjoyment, Desisa finished 31 seconds clear of his nearest challenger, fellow Ethiopian Yemane Adhane Tsegay.

Kenya’s Wilson Chebet was third, 34 seconds adrift of  Tsegay in 2:10:22..

Dathan Ritzenhein was the first American home in seventh, clocking 2:11:20, one place and 22 seconds ahead of the US runner whose victory on this course last year – the first by a home athlete since 1983 - served as a symbol of patriotism and resilience, Meb Keflezighi.

Home runner Desiree Linden led for much of the women's race, and fellow US Olympian Shalane Flanagan, seen as a likely podium placing following her improvements in time this year, was also in the pack through the midpoint.

While Keflezighi had announced his support for Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympics – a bid that was officially supported by this year’s race – Flanagan, an Olympic bronze medallist, had voiced the alternative viewpoint that has become clear through recent polls of local voters, who have given evidence of concern over the financial implications of the bid.

“It is a very touchy subject,” Flanagan told the Boston Herald before the race.

“The part of me as an Olympic athlete [feels] it would be such an honour to have it in Boston.

"But I understand the logistics of Boston and the overcrowding and the money.

“There is so much to consider, but if it is not supported by the community and by Bostonians then I don’t see how it’s going to work if it is not embraced.”

Flanagan lost touch with the leaders around the 18-mile mark, and Linden fell away soon afterwards  as Rotich and the Ethiopians Mare Dibaba and Buzunesh Deba – who finished second last year behind Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo, who is now serving a two-year doping ban -  pulled clear.

Deba dropped back at the final turn onto Boylston Street. Rotich and Dibaba ran shoulder-to-shoulder for the final quarter-mile before the 30-year-old Rotich kicked into the lead for her first Boston title.

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