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Derartu Tulu wins NY Marathon
2009-11-01 20:56
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Derartu Tulu crosses the finish line (AFP)
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New York - 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 10 000 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."
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 42.2km 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.
Results:
Men
1. Meb Keflezighi, United States, 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds.
2. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenya, 2:09:56.
3. Jaouad Gharib, Morocco, 2:10:25.
4. Ryan Hall, United States, 2:10:36.
5. Abderrahime Bouramdane, Morocco, 2:12:14.
6. Hendrick Ramaala, South Africa, 2:12:31.
7. Jorge Torres, United States, 2:13:00.
8. Nick Arciniaga, United States, 2:13:46.
9. Abdi Abdirahman, United States, 2:14:00.
10. Jason Lehmkuhle, United States, 2:14:39.
Women
1. Derartu Tulu, Ethiopia, 2:28:52.
2. Ludmila Petrova, Russia, 2:29:00.
3. Christelle Daunay, France, 2:29:16.
4. Paula Radcliffe, Britain, 2:29:27.
5. Salina Kosgei, Kenya, 2:31:53.
6. Magdalena Lewy Boulet, United States, 2:32:17.
7. Buzunesh Deba, United States, 2:35:54.
8. Serkalem Biset Abrha, United States, 2:37:20.
9. Yuri Kano, Japan, 2:39:05.
10. Desiree Ficker, United States, 2:39:30.