BOSTON – Normally, there wouldn't have been anybody in Jean Driscoll's way.

The last seven years at the Boston Marathon, the Champaign wheelchair racer hit Cleveland Circle clear from her competition. But on Monday, Louise Sauvage stayed with Driscoll and forced a rare mistake.

Drafting behind Sauvage, Driscoll's left wheel got caught in a trolley track and she flipped over. The spill caused a flat tire and helped Sauvage break Driscoll's seven-year winning streak.

"I'm definitely disappointed," Driscoll said. "I made a mistake. It was an error that caused me to crash. It's embarrassing.

"Any time I get into my chair there's always risks involved. One of those risks is crashing."

Had she not crashed, Driscoll said, a record eighth Boston title was possible.

"It would have been a close race," Driscoll said. "She (Sauvage) was getting worn out on the hills."

After about a four-minute break, Driscoll continued racing on a flat tire. She finished second in 2 hours, 1 minute, 15 seconds.

Driscoll said Sauvage was disappointed the two didn't get to complete their duel.

"We had a really good race going," Driscoll said.

Each time Driscoll took a lead, Sauvage caught up. At one point, Driscoll held a 15-20 second advantage, only to have Sauvage pass her just before the crash.

"There's not much you can do about that," Driscoll said.

With the loss, Driscoll continues to share the all-time Boston Marathon record for wins. She said she'll likely be back for next year's race.

"Knowing Jean, this is just another motivator," said Marty Morse, Driscoll's coach. "She's the kind of the person who will hold onto that tire and put it up in her locker and serve as reminder just how mad she was."

Then again, maybe not.

"I'll never put it (the tire) up on my wall," Driscoll said.

Four other members of the UI team competed Monday, all for the first time. Patrick Cottini won the quadriplegic men's division. Morse said Ian Rice had "just a tremendous first Boston."

Miriam Nibley and Teresa Brandenburg struggled in the race, Morse said.

In the able-bodied men's race, Kenya's Lameck Aguta edged countryman Joseph Kamau by 12 seconds.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Fatuma Roba won by 46 seconds. Defending champ Uta Pippig of Germany finished fourth.