Another Close Marathon

Last year's New York City Marathon saw the closest women's race in history, this year's marathon saw the closest race in NYC Marathon history for men or women. Paul Tergat, the world record holder for the marathon, finished .32 seconds ahead of 2004 winner Hendrick Ramaala who collapsed just as he reached the finish line. Tergat's win came on his first attempt at the NYC Marathon. As we watached the men's lead pack run in Central Park, we couldn't help but marvel at the trio of runners involved. Tergat, Ramaala and Meb Keflezighi, the best runner in the US and last year's runner-up, all running side to side. That picture was only bested by the finish.

The woman's race saw last year's runner-up, Susan Chepkemei, finish 2nd again, but this time by a much wider margin to Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia. Chepkemei, who led as late as the 26th mile, but was passed by Prokopcuka and couldn't keep up with the Latvian. Not surprising considering Chepkemei threw up several times. For winning the race, Prokopcuka won $160,000.

The men's wheelchair race was won by Ernst Van Dyk while the women's race was won by Edith Hunkeler.

The Times has a slideshow of race photos as does Newsday. Be sure to check out the "NYC Marathon" tag on Flickr for plenty more photos.

If you watched, where did you watch the marathon? If you raced, tell us how you did.

Photo by Tien Mao

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By tien mao in News on November 7, 2005 9:34 AM

Comments [rss]

Julie

I ran and am proud. New Yorkers are the best in the world.

betty

As one of the official sponsors, UPS is responsible for transporting all the runner's stuff they leave at the start on Staten Island to the finish in the Park.

beth

The UPS trucks drive the runners' checked bags from the start in Staten Island to the finish in the park. (They're also an official race sponsor.)

Emily

Watched from the finish line (was a volunteer handing out water). And it was one of the most incredible experiences aside from when I ran it. Everyone was so happy and excited to see me, and I heard thank you and got big smiles from so many people. One woman told me I was a goddess, which was pretty unbelievable considering what she had just accomplished. My favorite competitors were the guys who did it as a three legged race. They had been training together and one of them got injured a few weeks before the race so they decided to share legs. Awesome (they finished around six hours).

MissPinkKate

Watched from mile 24 around hour 5 or so.... it made me proud to see there were still plenty of people cheering after that long... I saw a guy running in just his socks. Blondish, fit guy, running in just socks. I would love to know what happened to his shoes.

Peggy

We were by 72nd and CPW yesterday - saw many many UPS trucks. Does anyone know what that's about?

Emily

Had the most magical moment watching the marathon yesterday... It was passing a block from my apartment, and my roommate and i managed to get a table at our favourite coffee shop on 5th, right on the sidewalk... there was a band playing, and in the space of the hour or so we were there, we were treated to two very different, very skilful impromptu dance performances, one by an older couple in church-going garb who twirled each other around and smiled a lot, and then an incredibly technical breakdance routine by a kid who wandered over, put his stuff on the ground by our table, did his thing, and then wandered off again... by this point, the runners were stopping to cheer and take photos... You couldn't have planned it, it was a truly perfect moment.

tobyleah

I watched from LIC and caught who I think is Ernst Van Dyk too, as well as the woman's winner as she ran across the bridge. More here from Queens.

tien

i believe joe holmes captured the winner in his photo on flickr.

Phil

I watched the marathon from my apartment on 1st Avenue (around mile 18) and then from the street. I love having the view from above, especially when the sidewalk gets crowded with beer-soaked individuals (there's a bar just below my apartment). But it's more fun to cheer runners on from the curb than watch passively from upstairs. My favorite runner was Mr. Testicles. I have great respect for anyone who runs 26 miles in a goofy costume.

jt

I was a bike marshal for the wheelchair guy pictured at Gothamist (who is not the same guy in photos of the winner, by the way). Interesting experience.

tien

well, clearly they didn't pee off the bridge as they started.

mikey

like i said somewhere else, the most amusing part was seeing 20+ runners peeing in an empty lot between 2 buildings on 4th ave, bkln, b/t warren & wycoff.

that was only mile seven!