2017 Boston Marathon Women's Winner: Edna Kiplagat

BOSTON (CBS) - Edna Kiplagat of Kenya won the women's 2017 Boston Marathon far ahead of the pack, with an official time of 2:21:52.

Check: Top Finishers

"It feels great for me to come and win Boston," she told WBZ-TV's Steve Burton. "It was my fastest time, and extremely great."

Kiplagat, running her first Boston, pulled ahead in mile 18 and took command of the race in the Newton Hills.

Her lead grew to more than a minute in the final miles, far ahead of Rose Chelimo of Bahrain and Jordan Hasay of Oregon.

"When we were at 30 kilometers, I said, let me try if I can break away from the group," she said. "My body was really feeling good, and I was so happy."

It was Kiplagat's first time running Boston, but she's also won marathons in London, Moscow, New York, and Los Angeles. She said she did a lot of extra strength training to prepare for the Boston course's rolling hills.

Chelimo finished second, 59 second behind in 2:22:51.  Hasay was the top American, finishing third with a time of 2:23:00.  Desi Linden of Michigan finished fourth in 2:25:06.

Hasay told WBZ-TV's David Wade she ran the race for her mother, who passed away in November.

"It was really emotional for me," she said. "I know that a lot of people out there lost loved ones here, and so that really just lifted me up. I was thinking about all of them and I know that they were with us all in spirit, and that my mom would be really proud... I love her so much and she'll always be with me."

Linden told Wade she felt great, but she said her competitors were just better.

"They were next-level," Linden said. "I was running respectable that last six miles, and they weren't even in sight. Hats off to her, she deserves this. She's been doing it the right way for years, and it's great to see her on the top step."

Last year's winner Atsede Baysa was taken to the medical tent in a wheelchair after finishing in 2:40:07.