U.S.A.'s Meb Keflezighi Wins NYC Marathon

Last Updated 3:50 p.m. ET

Meb Keflezighi became the first U.S. man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982 on Sunday, a victory that capped an outstanding day for American distance running.

Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia captured the women's race, with two-time defending champ Paula Radcliffe falling back to fourth, and grabbing her left leg in pain after finishing.

Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, learned after a disappointing performance in the U.S. Olympic trials in New York two years ago he had a stress fracture in his hip. He capped the long and painful comeback with a landmark victory on Sunday against a strong field for his first major marathon title.

Photos: New York City Marathon 2009

That day in 2007 he also lost close friend Ryan Shay, who collapsed and died during the race. Keflezighi said the tears he shed after winning were for Shay.

Born in Eritrea, the 34-year-old runner became a U.S. citizen in 1998. He was second in New York in 2004 and third in 2005. Wearing "USA" on the front of his jersey, Keflezighi won in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds.

"The U.S.A. gave me all the opportunities there is in education, sports and lifestyle," he said. "To be able to represent the U.S.A. is a big thing for me."

A field of nearly 44,000 started the 40th edition of the race. The 53-degree weather was about perfect for the runners, although they were slowed by 14 mph winds.

Keflezighi pulled away from Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya in the 23rd mile to beat the four-time Boston Marathon champ by 41 seconds. Alberto Salazar had been the last American men's champion, taking three straight titles from 1980-82.

Morocco's Jaouad Gharib finished third and Ryan Hall of the U.S. was fourth on a day when six Americans were in the top 10 for the first time since 1979. The race doubled as the national men's marathon championship.

Ludmila Petrova, a 41-year-old Russian, 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.

The 37-year-old Tulu won Olympic gold medals on the track in the 10,000 meters in 1992 and 2000. Her only marathon title came in London in 2001.

She had struggled with her weight and endurance after the birth of her second daughter three years ago. But when she ran well at a half-marathon in Philadelphia on Sept. 20, she decided to enter New York.

"I did not come here necessarily expecting to win," she said, "but I did expect to be a strong competitor."

Top Finishers:

Men:

1. Meb Keflezighi, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 2 hours, 9 minutes, 15 seconds.

2. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Kenya, 2:09:56.

3. Jaouad Gharib, Morocco, 2:10:25.

4. Ryan Hall, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 2:10:36.

5. Abderrahime Bouramdane, Morocco, 2:12:14.

6. Hendrick Ramaala, South Africa, 2:12:31.

7. Jorge Torres, Boulder, Colo., 2:13:00.

8. Nick Arciniaga, Rochester Hills, Mich., 2:13:46.

9. Abdi Abdirahman, Tucson, Ariz., 2:14:00.

10. Jason Lehmkuhle, Minneapolis, 2:14:39.

11. Jackson Kotut Kipkoech, Kenya, 2:15:10.

12. Peter Gilmore, San Mateo, Calif., 2:15:22.

13. Migidio Bourifa, Italy, 2:16:01.

14. Mike Sayenko, Bellevue, Wash., 2:16:38.

15. Mike Reneau, Houlton, Wis., 2:16:45.

16. Jose Telles De Souza, Brazil, 2:17:28.

17. Allen Wagner, Huntington Valley, Pa., 2:17:49.

18. Max King, Bend, Ore., 2:19:11

19. Mohammed Awol, Ethiopia, 2:19:31.

20. Christopher Raabe, Washington, 2:19:49.

21. Pat Tarpy, Providence, R.I., 2:20:43.

22. Antonio Liuzzo, Italy, 2:22:36.

23. Helder Ornelas, Portugal, 2:22:44.

24. Brett Winegar, Shoreline, Wash., 2:23:11.

25. Bryan Morseman, Addison, N.Y., 2:23:50.

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, Oakland, Calif., 2:32:17.

7. Buzunesh Deba, Bronx, N.Y., 2:35:54.

8. Serkalem Biset Abrha, Santa Fe, N.M., 2:37:20.

9. Yuri Kano, Japan, 2:39:05.

10. Desiree Ficker, Austin, Texas, 2:39:30.

11. Catha Mullen, New York, 2:43:13.

12. Christine Ramsey, Baltimore, 2:44:37.

13. Heidi Westover, Acworth, N.H., 2:44:59.

14. Sopagna Eap, McKinleyville, Calif., 2:45:15.

15. Hirut Mandefro, Ethiopia, 2:47:03.

16. Therese Hagersjo, Sweden, 2:49:02.

17. Joan Samuelson, Freeport, Maine, 2:49:09.

18. Lisa Huetthaler, Austria, 2:49:33.

19. Michelle Ross Cope, Britain, 2:49:48.

20. Rebecca Yau, New York, 2:51:22.

21. Felice Kelly, New York, 2:51:55.

22. Jenifer Martin, Clifton, N.J., 2:52:12.

23. Veronica Clemens, New York, 2:52:15.

24. Jill Hodgins, Ireland, 2:52:21.

25. Diane Petruzzelli, Lincroft, N.J., 2:53:03.