The Kenyan contingent shredded the new course — which now begins and ends at the town’s majestic Endicott Estate on East Street — in both the men’s and women’s race in impressive fashion.

The whole day was impressive, for runners and fans. An elite field of 3,798 racers lined up for the start of the unique race founded by Martin Hanley 18 years ago.

The race is a 6.2-mile tour through the streets of Dedham’s Precinct 1, with actors and actresses reading passages from the works of James Joyce as runners pass by.

And while last year’s race drew huge crowds to see three-time Marathon champion Uta Pippig run, this year’s throng was treated to a collection of nearly a dozen of the world’s finest runners.

The top five male finishers share the same homeland and the top three women also are native Africans. One American was able to crack the leaders — Rebecca Donaghue, a Stowe resident and an art teacher at Dedham High finished fourth in 34:09 in her first 10K race.

Stephen Kiogora, battling a moderate wind and a heavy head cold, shattered the record Andy Ronan set in 1989 on the old course. Kiogora posted a 28:45, breaking Ronan’s 13-year-old mark of 29:20 by 35 seconds.

It didn’t stop there. The next three finishers on the men’s side — Issac Kariuki, Thomas Omwenga and Gabriel Muchiri — all finished under Ronan’s time.

" The wind was not too strong, " said Kariuki, a Kenyan who now calls Kennesan Georgia home. " I knew if (Kiogora) happens to go, nobody would catch him. "

Kiogora, whose best half-marathon time is 1:06, was part of a pack of five runners who stayed in the lead for the first half of the race. Slowly each began to fall back despite this year’s flatter course, but Kiogora was able to maintain a 4:38 pace.

The early indications were that a record-setting day might be in the making when the runners covered the first mile in 4:24. Kariuki, running his first Ramble, was 11 seconds off the lead time and Omwenga was third in 28:58. Fourth was Gabriel Muchiri in 29:08 and 2000 champion Simon Karori was fifth in 29:54.

Jack Dwyer, a Brighton resident affiliated with the Reebok Boston team, was the first American, finishing in 29:57.

Ben Nephew, of Canton, was the top local finisher on the men’s side. Nephew covered the course in 33:27 to place 56th.

The women’s race was a little less competitive. Kenya’s Martha Komu won easily in 32:54, beating countrywoman Naomi Wangui by 20 seconds, and setting a new course record.

The old mark was set last year by Pauline Konga, who won in 33:10.

" I’m very happy (to win), " said Komu, another first-time Ramble participant. " I want to thank the crowd for the support. I’m very happy to win (yesterday’s) race. "

Wangui and Omoro waged a fierce battle for second, with Wangui finishing slightly ahead. She crossed the line in 33:34 and Omoro in 33:36. Donaghue, who ran at UMass-Amherst and now competes with Reebok Boston, was running her first Ramble and her first 10K race, finishing in 34:09.

" My coach wants me to work on my strength, " said Donaghue, who normally runs 1500-3000 meters. " I’m happy with my time, I’m excited. (My time) is about what I wanted. I would’ve been a little more excited to be in the 33s, but 34:09 in my first 10K is good. "

Donaghue went back and forth with fifth-place finisher Judi St. Hilaire, who ended up sixth in 34:21. Valerie Vaughn, of Limerick, Ireland, was fifth in 34:20. Donaghue said the wind wasn’t that much of a factor.

" A couple times I tucked in behind a couple runners, " she said. " I don’t think it was too hilly. "

Louise Brooks, of Dedham, was the top local finisher on the women’s side. Brooks covered the course in 43:03.

Weymouth’s Tim Kelly defended his wheelchair title, beating his competition by a wide margin.

" I like (the new course), " he said. " It’s less hilly, but the potholes are a problem. "