Kenya’s Martin Lel and Netherlands’ Lornah Kiplagat won their divisions of the Peachtree 10K this morning in Atlanta, Georgia. With a field of 55,000, Peachtree is the world’s largest 10-kilometer race.

Lel, who last won here in 2004, was clearly superior against a stacked field, as his time of 27:25 minutes put him 24 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Wilson Kiprotich, also of Kenya. Kiplagat won her fifth Peachtree, but had to outkick Kenyan Jemina Jalagat to gain a two-second victory in 31:13.

Defending men’s champion Gilbert Okari, of Kenya, was fourth in 27:59. Although the KIMbia athlete had hoped to defend his title, his form still looks excellent for the second half of his U.S. road campaign, as his time today in hot, humid conditions was 15 seconds faster than his winning time last year.

KIMbia’s Kathy Butler, of Great Britain, was sixth in 32:24. She ran the same time at last year’s Peachtree to place third. KIMbia’s Elva Dryer, of the U.S., was 11^th in 32:51.

Today’s was the 37^th running of the Peachtree 10K. It has been the world’s largest 10K since the late 1970s. In 1992, the field was expanded to 45,000. The race grew to 50,000 in 1994, and reached its current cap of 55,000 in 1998. For complete results of this year’s race, visit the Peachtree 10K Web site.