November 2, 2009

Race to the Finish

A record number of runners took part in the New York City Marathon

By Suzanne Zimbler

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	The Verrazano is the first of five bridges that runners cross during the New York City Marathon.

For months, people all over the world have been training for New York City's annual marathon. The big race takes runners on a 26.2-mile course through all five of the city's boroughs, or sections.

On Sunday, 43,741 runners gathered in Staten Island, New York, to start the race. Some had their hearts set on winning. Many were just hoping to finish.

An American Finishes First

For the first time in 27 years, an American was the first runner to cross the finish line in New York's Central Park. After completing the long race in just two hours, 10 minutes and 25 seconds, 34-year-old Meb Keflezighi kissed the ground. "It's very emotional," he said.

DON EMMERT—AFP/GETTY IMAGES Meb Keflezighi is the first American man since 1982 to win the New York City Marathon.

When Keflezighi was 10, his family moved from the East African country of Eritrea to Italy, for a better life. Two years later, they came to the United States. In 1998, Keflezighi became an American citizen. "I am just thrilled to be able to win my first marathon ever wearing the U.S.A. jersey," he said.

Comeback Kid

Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia was the women's winner. Tulu's first big victory came 17 years ago at the Barcelona Summer Olympics, when she took home a gold medal for the 10,000-meter race. Until Sunday, the only major marathon she had ever won was London's, in 2000.

Tulu, who finished the race in two hours, 28 minutes and 52 seconds, was surprised by her own victory. "I didn't really expect to win," she said. The 37-year-old mother of two is the first Ethiopian woman to win the New York City Marathon.

Many race fans expected British runner Paula Radcliffe to win the women's title for the third year in a row. Instead, she finished fourth. A pulled muscle slowed her down, she told reporters. "It was really sore," she said. "I was just obviously disappointed because I started the race to win it."

Sweet Victory

Keflezighi and Tulu both took home thousands of dollars in prize money. But winning the marathon was the best reward of all. "It's just sweet," Keflezighi said. "It can't get any better."

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