Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the New York City marathon since 1982 when he took the men’s title in two hours, 9 minutes and 15 seconds on Sunday.
Ethiopia’s former world and Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu won the women’s event in 2:28.52 after pulling away from Russia’s Ludmila Petrova in the last half kilometer.
World record holder Paula Radcliffe finished fourth, limping across the line behind France’s Christelle Daunay after setting the pace for much of the race.
PHOTO: AFP
Keflezighi, whose previous best finish in a marathon major was second in New York in 2004, broke away from Kenyan Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot with just a few kilometers to go to claim the win.
Cheruiyot finished 41 seconds behind the American, while third place went to former world champion Moroccan Jaouad Gharib, who posted a time of 2:10:25.
“It’s very emotional,” Keflezighi, who beat his previous personal best by six seconds, told reporters. “I am just thrilled to be able to win my first marathon ever at the place where I started and on a PR, wearing the USA jersey, it can’t get any better. It’s just sweet.”
After he crossed the line, the 34-year-old, who lives in San Diego, California, kissed the ground. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist was one of six Americans in the top 10.
Keflezighi, one of 11 children who moved as a boy from Eritrea to Italy where he went to high school before relocating to San Diego for college, said US men’s distance running was back to its best after faltering in the 1990s.
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