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Meb Keflezighi celebrates winning the NY marathon
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 Monday.
Ethiopia's former world and Olympic 10,000 metres champion Derartu
Tulu won the women's event through the city's five boroughs in
2:28.52 after pulling away from Russia's Ludmila Petrova in the
last quarter of a mile.
Favourite and 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.
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 miles to go to take a surprise 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."
Silver medallist
After he crossed the line, the 34-year-old, who lives in San Diego,
California, kissed the ground. The 2004 Olympic silver medallist
was one of six Americans to finish in the top 10.
Alberto Salazar was the last American winner of the 26.2-mile
(42.195-km) race.
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 American men's distance running was back to its
best after faltering in the 1990s.
"We are set and there is more to come."
Briton Radcliffe, competing in her first marathon since winning
here last year for the third time, appeared to be in agony as she
crossed the finish line and told reporters a twinge in her left
hamstring two weeks ago caused her pain throughout the race.
"It was really sore. I couldn't hardly pick up my leg. I was just
obviously annoyed and disappointed because I kind of started the
race to win it," she said.
Tulu, 37, became the first Ethiopian woman to win the New York
marathon.
"I didn't really expect to win but I did know that I could be a
good competitor," she said, adding it was not until she had just a
few miles to go that she knew she had a good chance.
