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Kenyan Lel Claims Second NYC Marathon

Emerges from crowded men's pack; Radcliffe of UK is women's winner

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2007 2:32 PM CST
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(Newser) – Martin Lel of Kenya narrowly beat out Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco to take first place in this year's New York City Men's Marathon. This was Lel's second NY victory, having also won in 2003. Lel and Goumri also battled to the finish in this year's London Marathon, when Lel beat Goumri by only three seconds. This time it was by 12— Lel's wining time was 2 hours and 9.03 minutes.

For most of the race, the leaders in the men's race were in a tight pack, reports the New York Times.  The pack finally dwindled to three runners in the 23rd mile: Lel, Goumri, and South African Hendrick Ramaala. Ramaala, another former winner, had led the race for ten kilometers. Women's world record holder Paula Radcliffe of the UK took the women's title, also for the second time.

Martin Lel of Kenya breaks the tape to win the men's division in the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Martin Lel of Kenya breaks the tape to win the men's division in the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)   (Associated Press)
Martin Lel, right, of Kenya, Abderrahim Goumri, left, of Morocco, and Hendrick Ramaala, center, of South Africa, run during the 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Lel, of Kenya, went on to win the race with a time of 2
Martin Lel, right, of Kenya, Abderrahim Goumri, left, of Morocco, and Hendrick Ramaala, center, of South Africa, run during the 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Lel,...   (Associated Press)
Kenya's Martin Lel kisses the ground after breaking the tape to win the men's division of the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kenya's Martin Lel kisses the ground after breaking the tape to win the men's division of the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)   (Associated Press)
Women's division winner Paula Radcliffe celebrates with her country's flag after winning the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Women's division winner Paula Radcliffe celebrates with her country's flag after winning the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)   (Associated Press)
Paula Radcliffe, of Great Britain, celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the women's division in the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Paula Radcliffe, of Great Britain, celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the women's division in the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)   (Associated Press)
Paula Radcliffe, left, of Great Britain, and Gete Wami, right, of Ethiopia, get set to run the 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Radcliffe won the race with a time of 2
Paula Radcliffe, left, of Great Britain, and Gete Wami, right, of Ethiopia, get set to run the 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Radcliffe won the race with a time of 2   (Associated Press)
Runners exit the Queensboro bridge during the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Runners exit the Queensboro bridge during the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)   (Associated Press)
Runners pass through the borough of Brooklyn during the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Runners pass through the borough of Brooklyn during the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)   (Associated Press)
Second place finisher Abderrahim Goumri, left, of Morocco, first place finisher Martin Lel, center, of Kenya, and third place finisher Hendrick Ramaala, of South Africa, pose for photos at the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Second place finisher Abderrahim Goumri, left, of Morocco, first place finisher Martin Lel, center, of Kenya, and third place finisher Hendrick Ramaala, of South Africa, pose for photos at the New York...   (Associated Press)
Martin Lel, of Kenya, poses for photographs after winning the Men's 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Lel won with a time of 2
Martin Lel, of Kenya, poses for photographs after winning the Men's 2007 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in New York. Lel won with a time of 2   (Associated Press)
Martin Lel, of Kenya, lies on the street after placing first in the men's division at the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Martin Lel, of Kenya, lies on the street after placing first in the men's division at the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)   (Associated Press)
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Marathon wrap-up from Bloomberg
Bloomberg

Exciting this year!
TransWorldNews

 
Kenya • marathon • running • track and field • Martin Lel • New York City Marathon • NYC marathon results 2009 • New York City marathon results 2009

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