Marathon Champs: American Keflezighi Wins Men's Race, Ethiopian Tulu Wins Women's

Photograph of Meb Keflezighi rounding a turn in Central Park by Henny Ray Abrams

For the first time in 27 years, an American man has won the NYC Marathon. Meb Keflezighi — who achieved Olympic bronze in Athens — crossed the line at 2:09:15. The 5-foot-5½, 122-pound Eritrean immigrant set a personal best in his 13th NYC Marathon, crossing the line about 40 seconds ahead of second-place finisher.

Keflezighi finished second in New York in 2004 and third in 2005, but after struggling with a hip injury and failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, many thought the 34-year-old was past his prime. “Whether it's on (Internet) chats or word on the street, I heard, ‘He's over the hill.’ Things like that," he said. “I knew I had this God-given talent that hadn't been tapped into yet."

He finished strong, pulling ahead of Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot in the last miles. As he approached the finish line in Central Park, Keflezighi repeatedly pointed at his shirt, which read "U.S.A." He told the Times, "U.S.A. gave me all the opportunity in the world, education, sports, lifestyle. This is so special to me."

In the women's race, 37-year-old Derartu Tulu became the first-ever Ethiopian woman to win. In her second ever 26.2-mile victory, Tulu crossed the line at 2:28:52. Three-time winner Paula Radcliffe — who said she might be able to break the course's 2:22:31 women's record — finished fourth in 2:29:27.

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By Ben Muessig in News on November 1, 2009 12:57 PM

Comments [rss]

Running Man

Meb, a successful immigrant, is the essence of the American story. People like Meb are the reason that our country will not succumb to economic sclerosis (see Russian and many countries in Europe). America, the land of immigrants, will find ways to tap into the aspirations of new American citizens to create new cycles of growth and opportunity. Meb looked might patriotic pointing to his race singlet and dropping to his knees to kiss the ground.

synik

Kevin, that's because you are a true American ;-)

Kevin Walsh

I still don't think it's possible to run 26 miles. I can't run 5 blocks.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Bort

It's because you're too busy constantly promoting your fucking website.

NannyState

Did anyone notice how all those "slow runners" ruined the marathon this year?

mocanlagunas

yeah, I guess if he had been a cook or a waiter, he wouldn't be an American just yet...

Jen Chung

This is awesome! Go Meb! Go Derartu!

Guest

Forget being American. WTF is an Eritrean. Sounds like some mythological race George Lucas thought up.

jaycjay

Sorry but anyone who has never heard of Eritrea really should pay more attention to what's going on in the world.

Eritrea in the news: a border war with Ethiopia for a couple of years, a UN peacekeeping mission which ended maybe a little more than a year ago, and accusations that the country has been supporting anti-government rebels in Sudan.

Likely none of that was covered in US Weekly or even by Fox News, but following actual news sources would make 'Eritrean' a familiar term.

Guest

Obviousy you are a master Google user. Good for you!

dr zippy

Once upon a time, having knowledge of the world was considered good and being willfully ignorant was considered bad.

Guest

Welcome to the 2000s

tsol

He's a real American, just not a natural born Citizen.

Spirit of 76

That's a real American on the motorcycle right behind him in the picture. You can tell because he's about 50 pounds overweight and looks like he could use a little jogging. Maybe that's Officer Paunch-erello.