BOSTON — Maine native Ben True broke his own American record in the 5K on Saturday, winning the Boston Athletic Association 5K in 13 minutes, 20 seconds.
True, a 31-year-old native of North Yarmouth and Greely High graduate who now lives in New Hampshire, won the race for the fourth time and broke the mark of 13:22 he had set in 2015. He had his race plan for Saturday, but that changed near the end.
“When I was coming down the home stretch and I saw the clock at 13:10, I definitely dug a little bit deeper to make sure I could try and get another record,” True told reporters after the race. “So it worked out well. It felt good, it was a fun race.”
True also won the race in 2011 and 2012. He finished second to three-time winner Dejen Gebremskel of Ethopia last year.
True ran with the lead pack throughout the race, hitting the 1-mile mark in 4:20 and the 2-mile in 8:42. Gebremeskel was pushing the pace.
“Dejen took it out pretty quick for the first mile,” True said “and I slowly came up on his shoulder on the underpass. The two of us came together through two miles.”
The pack strung out along Boylston Street near the Boston Marathon finish line.
“It just means that we’re going at a pretty quick pace,” said True, “so it’s a good thing. It makes it a little bit easier to move around.”
True said that he appreciates the win as a Mainer.
“This weekend is great,” he said. “Maine’s one of the few states, and Massachusetts, to celebrate Patriots Day, so growing up this was always a school holiday. This was kind of a holiday for me growing up. And it’s great to be a part of.”
True earned $7,500 prize money.
Steven Sambu was second in 13:22, followed by James Kibet in third in 13:28 and Philip Langat fourth in 13:30. Gebremeskel, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters, was fifth in 13:35.
Buze Diriba of Ethiopia outkicked three-time winner Molly Huddle of Providence, Rhode Island to claim victory in 14:54 in the women’s race. Huddle finished in 14:56.
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