It was being in a swarm of world-class runners in the Boston Marathon.

"At eight miles, there was a very big group," Hussein said. "I just concentrated on my own form. I ran my own race. No one was going to run away with it."

Hussein had to beware of John Treacy, a runner from Ireland. Treacy is noted for his fine finishes. If Treacy drew close in the last few miles, he might be able to pull away.

Treacy hung on. He was there at 10 miles. He was there at 15. He was there at 20, 21, 22. He was there.

"By the 25th mile, I was really fighting hard," Treacy said. "Both of them [Hussein and Ikangaa] were just stronger than I was."

He was no longer there.

Meanwhile, Mota was alone. The Boston Marathon Committee could have handed her the $45,000 first-place prize at around mile 10. She could have driven off in her new Mercedes at mile 20. She was the first woman. And she looked like the last woman on earth, surrounded by a horde of huffing and puffing men.

It was like running for office in the Soviet Union. It was like being Mike Tyson. It was like running away with the Boston Marathon.

It was running away with the Boston Marathon.

To win the Boston Marathon is to experience the agony of victory.

It was like winning the Stanley Cup. It was like winning the Triple Crown. It was like winning the Boston Marathon.

It was winning the Boston Marathon.

And it was sweet.