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American Wins NYC Marathon

First since '82; Ethiopia's Tulu captures women's division

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 1, 2009 12:54 PM CST

(AP) – Meb Keflezighi became the first American man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982 today. Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia won the women's race, with two-time defending champ Paula Radcliffe falling back to fourth then grabbing her left leg in pain after finishing. Wearing "USA" on his chest, Keflezighi won in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds. "The USA gave me all the opportunities there is in education, sports and lifestyle," he said. "To be able to represent the USA is a big thing for me."

Keflezighi pulled away from Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya in the 23rd mile to beat the four-time Boston Marathon champ by 41 seconds. Russian Ludmila Petrova, 41, was the runner-up for the second straight year in the women's race, while Christelle Daunay of France was third. Radcliffe said she had tendinitis behind her knee. The world record-holder from Britain failed to win a marathon for just the third time in 11 starts. Nearly 44,000 runners started the 40th edition of the race.

The Men's Professional field in the New York City Marathon crosses the Verrazano Narrows Bridge linking the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn at the start of the marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
The Men's Professional field in the New York City Marathon crosses the Verrazano Narrows Bridge linking the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn at the start of the marathon, Sunday, Nov....   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, left, congratulates Meb Keflezighi after Keflezighi won the men's division in the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Ramaala came in sixth.
Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, left, congratulates Meb Keflezighi after Keflezighi won the men's division in the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Ramaala came in sixth.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Meb Keflezighi points to the sky after finishing first in the men's division at the 2009 New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Meb Keflezighi points to the sky after finishing first in the men's division at the 2009 New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia walks draped in her country's flag after coming in first in the women's division in the 2009 New York City Marathon Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia walks draped in her country's flag after coming in first in the women's division in the 2009 New York City Marathon Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
First place finisher Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, left, greets fourth place finisher and defending champion Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain as she crosses the finish line at the 2009 New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
First place finisher Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia, left, greets fourth place finisher and defending champion Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain as she crosses the finish line at the 2009 New York City Marathon,...   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Ludmila Petrova of Russia comes in second in the women's division at the 2009 New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.
Ludmila Petrova of Russia comes in second in the women's division at the 2009 New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Runners cross the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at the start of the ING New York City Marathon Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 in New York.
Runners cross the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at the start of the ING New York City Marathon Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 in New York.   (Jason DeCrow)
Meb Keflezighi of the United States, holds a flag high after coming in first place in the men's division in the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in New York.
Meb Keflezighi of the United States, holds a flag high after coming in first place in the men's division in the New York City Marathon, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in New York.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Sterling_Archer
Nov 2, 2009 8:44 AM CST
USA! USA! USA!
riffran
Nov 2, 2009 4:16 AM CST
Ya gotta respect ANYBODY that can do that race....hats off to all that did it...and a big ole *clap clap clap* to the winner...awsome !!!
stacysaw
Nov 1, 2009 7:56 AM CST
just call him meb - he's a great guy and a stellar representative of american distance running. congrats to EVERYONE running today - see you next year!

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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